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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Wickham and Tucker miles off the required level for me. Days like today highlight that. Full back line a huge worry, Donohue limping off too. Conor Foley looks to be regressing, getting hooked late on was incredibly poor. His hurling seems very slow if he wants to be playing out the field, not a full back anyway. That team above has lots of holes, Jacko and Cian Byrne have hardly played this year so far. Molloy another one, back training but a big ask to get match fit after a big layoff. Could free up Reck to play midfield maybe if he was fit, though Reck was very good today at 5. Best I've seen him play in a good while."
Foley has always hurled out the field for his club, school, and for Wexford at underage, I think, should have hit it off his right side when he get hooked

Don't know if he's regressing at such, might me more accurate to say he's not pushing on but players develop at different rates, the coaches in theory should be trying to help him on the weaker aspects of his game

He would have a bit of bite in him, half-wonder whether we should play him in midfield and just use him as an enforcer type

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 956 - 08/03/2026 22:55:30    2660591

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "We weren't good, but I don't agree with 6-8 being more accurate. I agree we had to work far harder for scores and we coughed them up too easily but they went 6 ahead on three occasions and we pulled them back each time. 9/10 chinner buries that late chance, or puts the ball out of play with the last free and we're promoted in either scenario."
The last bit pretty much assumes that we will beat Kildare; dangerous assumption to make!

If we do win on Saturday week, it'll only be very narrowly; thing is though, I think we'll learn a lot more about them than they will learn about us, they've a very settled side with a very defined style of play (They had basically 10 Championship starters starting against Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup Shielf)

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 956 - 08/03/2026 22:57:34    2660592

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Replying To beano:  "To add to this, Rowley could be a late-campaign bolter, wouldn't be surprised to see him sprung from the bench against Kildare and KK and start thereafter"
Cillian Byrne could be too

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18717 - 09/03/2026 00:20:20    2660595

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Rossi didn't seem to agree, "flat" he thought and can't disagree. We have plenty of lads on the panel miles off the required level of conditioning to be able to physically compete at this level. Not sure why that's still the case."
Rossi did t agree because we didnt deserve anything out of the game, he was spot on in his analysis

We were flat, sloppy in possession, fumbled balls when our touch wasn't great and a lot of times took that one pass too many. If we had got something out of the game it would have been unwarranted as literally what the manager said himself.

We got the result our performance warranted.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1622 - 09/03/2026 07:34:00    2660598

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Strange game wasn't it, agree on your summary re 6-8 points in it on balance of play. Clare butchered a couple of goal chances, credit Fanning. Think it was a bit too easy for Clare that they lost a bit of interest but tacked on a few points again when we brought back to 1. Reck missed a sitter at one stage late and Chin 1-1 missed at end. Carley also drove an immensely stupid wide late on under no pressure, hook on Foley cost a score.... So we could have snuck a result with more composure but wouldn't have been deserved. Credit to the players for sticking at it I guess in the second half. Scrapped a lot better and used possession better. But considering we were the only team with something to play that first half performance was a shocker.

Need to get some presence and intensity into our middle third, brought that after half time in fairness with some changes helping. Just thought Clare FF line in first half could afford to gather easy possession throw a dummy or two and hit an uncontested shot over the bar. Like a backs and forwards game designed in the forwards favour. At least make them earn every score."
Its still feature of our play that we can either not start well, or fade out for a large chunk of the game. The only positive that way is that we have been finishing games stronger this year.
Think some players are playing themselves out of starts come championship.
Have a feeling around half the starters yesterday wont be starting in Newbridge......

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18717 - 09/03/2026 08:09:44    2660599

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "The last bit pretty much assumes that we will beat Kildare; dangerous assumption to make!

If we do win on Saturday week, it'll only be very narrowly; thing is though, I think we'll learn a lot more about them than they will learn about us, they've a very settled side with a very defined style of play (They had basically 10 Championship starters starting against Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup Shielf)"
I get what you're saying, and at this stage it makes no difference. I'd have been very confident if we needed a result against Kildare but now we don't so anything can happen. I am already thinking about new bridge at this stage.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4311 - 09/03/2026 08:31:34    2660601

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Foley has always hurled out the field for his club, school, and for Wexford at underage, I think, should have hit it off his right side when he get hooked

Don't know if he's regressing at such, might me more accurate to say he's not pushing on but players develop at different rates, the coaches in theory should be trying to help him on the weaker aspects of his game

He would have a bit of bite in him, half-wonder whether we should play him in midfield and just use him as an enforcer type"
Hes a good scorer too.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18717 - 09/03/2026 08:32:43    2660602

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I don't know if he buries that 9 times out of 10 tbh, it was a hard enough shot, was a bit far out and the angle wasn't great

Tbh, they created a few more goalscoring opportunities than us, we only really had the goal and then Chin's shot, they would've won by 6 had they scored one of theirs which would be a fairer reflection of the game IMO

Don't think it's all doom and gloom, I think the worst performers today were players I wouldn't have considered Championship-starting material coming into the league, at least Simon Roche has shown an awful lot

And at least we showed something in the last twenty minutes, I know we shouldn't be comparing ourselves against Kilkenny the whole time but we showed more today than what they showed yesterday"
At this stage in our development I'd argue Kilkenny probably are the bar. We're not going to win the all Ireland and we're very unlikely to beat any of the Munster teams in championship. The best we can hope for is a good go at Leinster, baring in mind that we're currently 4th in the pecking order.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4311 - 09/03/2026 08:35:01    2660603

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Replying To Viking66:  "Cillian Byrne could be too"
I agree. A very exciting young lad with a brilliant attitude.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4311 - 09/03/2026 08:35:26    2660604

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Replying To tearintom:  "Rossi did t agree because we didnt deserve anything out of the game, he was spot on in his analysis

We were flat, sloppy in possession, fumbled balls when our touch wasn't great and a lot of times took that one pass too many. If we had got something out of the game it would have been unwarranted as literally what the manager said himself.

We got the result our performance warranted."
Agree with the flatness etc.....if Chin scored rhay goal at end it'd be a draw so we WOULD have deserved to get something. Alas he didn't and we got nothing. But I dont agre we were miles off in the end. Truth is we literally were a puck away from drawing level at fhe death

WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 470 - 09/03/2026 08:57:59    2660607

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Overall disappointed with the performance yesterday . As Keith said we were flat from the off . Our touch was off and we looked like we lacked the energy required to play with the intensity we needed to . Simon Roche was again excellent and is now a certain championship. It's dissapointing to be back in 1B next year but in reality it's probably where we are at present . It's looking like 1B next year will be made up of ourselves , Kilkenny/Waterford, Offaly , Kildare , Antrim, Laois , Westmeath/Kerry. If it's this years fixtures in reverse we should have the two big teams at home I would think? One thing I have been dissapointed with this league is we haven't seen much of Jack Redmond or Cian Byrne I presume both are injured . Think they could really have made a difference yesterday . Thought Carley done okay , Lawlor and Reck were solid. Thought we looked flat around midfield and half forward line apart from Roche. James Byrne did add something in the second half . Lee done okay thought he was going to bury that last chance . Overall it's been an okay league campaign but we need to finish it out with a good performance and win against Kildare

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 927 - 09/03/2026 08:58:34    2660608

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Stepping aside from yesterdays game and result I often think of Clare as a benchmark county for us. Similar population to us, on the fringe of the hurling core, with comparative levels of historic success. However it feels like over the past decade or so there has been a divergence. Most obviously in that they have won 3 all Irelands since our last, most notably 2013 and 2024 but that have the whip hand in most serous encounters with Wexford and have more generally remained competitive in the championship. They are producing the type of player that are really struggling to, big, strong, and who can hurl.

Back in 1995 Liam Griffin sounded an alarm, that the culture of hurling in Wexford was under threat and that we needed senior success to rejuvenate this, this was a driving force behind his push in 1996 but here we are 30 years on and I think that culture is in parts, particularly the towns, collapsing. I heard that in one town school, in 4th class just 4 play hurling, football is doing better with 8/9 playing this is alarming. We know New Ross has been problem for 20 + years, while in Enniscorthy Shamrocks no longer have teams at many (if not most) age groups. You add that the towns is where most of the population growth is happening and it makes the battle here even more existential. Demographics are a challenge, many parents are not from Ireland originally and more have no connection with the GAA. Senior success is in the context even more important and impactful. In the meantime we need a strategy to address these urban challanges.

Where are the bright spots for Wexford GAA? Maybe its the Monday morning blues, but I'm struggling to find them.

wexford2012 (Wexford) - Posts: 131 - 09/03/2026 09:57:17    2660612

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Replying To Viking66:  "Its still feature of our play that we can either not start well, or fade out for a large chunk of the game. The only positive that way is that we have been finishing games stronger this year.
Think some players are playing themselves out of starts come championship.
Have a feeling around half the starters yesterday wont be starting in Newbridge......"
One plus from the league is when things arent going our way like yesterday the lads are keeping going and not putting their heads down. That can keep us in games and gives us a chance come the end like we had yesterday could have nicked a draw. Performance levels will have to increase though but I think the return of Cian Molloy, Jippo, Jacko, Jack Redmond and Cian Byrne will improve the team. Our championship team now is looking something like
Fanning
Carley
Liam Ryan ( Fingers crossed he's fit)
Donohoe ( Hoping his injury isnt serious if not id play Dempsey or Niall Murphy)
Molloy
D Reck
Lawlor
Hearne
C Foley ( Needs to play out the field I think backs doesnt suit him)
Jacko
Roche
Chin
Cian Byrne
Jack Redmond
K Foley

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 927 - 09/03/2026 10:04:36    2660613

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Replying To wexford2012:  "Stepping aside from yesterdays game and result I often think of Clare as a benchmark county for us. Similar population to us, on the fringe of the hurling core, with comparative levels of historic success. However it feels like over the past decade or so there has been a divergence. Most obviously in that they have won 3 all Irelands since our last, most notably 2013 and 2024 but that have the whip hand in most serous encounters with Wexford and have more generally remained competitive in the championship. They are producing the type of player that are really struggling to, big, strong, and who can hurl.

Back in 1995 Liam Griffin sounded an alarm, that the culture of hurling in Wexford was under threat and that we needed senior success to rejuvenate this, this was a driving force behind his push in 1996 but here we are 30 years on and I think that culture is in parts, particularly the towns, collapsing. I heard that in one town school, in 4th class just 4 play hurling, football is doing better with 8/9 playing this is alarming. We know New Ross has been problem for 20 + years, while in Enniscorthy Shamrocks no longer have teams at many (if not most) age groups. You add that the towns is where most of the population growth is happening and it makes the battle here even more existential. Demographics are a challenge, many parents are not from Ireland originally and more have no connection with the GAA. Senior success is in the context even more important and impactful. In the meantime we need a strategy to address these urban challanges.

Where are the bright spots for Wexford GAA? Maybe its the Monday morning blues, but I'm struggling to find them."
Have a similar feeling myself this morning. I think we need a major breakthrough soon in underage or senior something has to happen

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 927 - 09/03/2026 10:21:19    2660616

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Overall disappointed with the performance yesterday . As Keith said we were flat from the off . Our touch was off and we looked like we lacked the energy required to play with the intensity we needed to . Simon Roche was again excellent and is now a certain championship. It's dissapointing to be back in 1B next year but in reality it's probably where we are at present . It's looking like 1B next year will be made up of ourselves , Kilkenny/Waterford, Offaly , Kildare , Antrim, Laois , Westmeath/Kerry. If it's this years fixtures in reverse we should have the two big teams at home I would think? One thing I have been dissapointed with this league is we haven't seen much of Jack Redmond or Cian Byrne I presume both are injured . Think they could really have made a difference yesterday . Thought Carley done okay , Lawlor and Reck were solid. Thought we looked flat around midfield and half forward line apart from Roche. James Byrne did add something in the second half . Lee done okay thought he was going to bury that last chance . Overall it's been an okay league campaign but we need to finish it out with a good performance and win against Kildare"
I think James Byrne is really under rated, been saying that for years now. Redmond and Byrne are both fit. As I said before it wouldn't surprise me in the least if around half the lads who started in Ennis wont be starting in Newbridge.
Yesterday's result was disappointing, it would be nice to be going up to 1a but thats pretty unlikely now.
At the same time the game will be soon forgotten if we go well in Leinster, and in fairness to Keith he stated several times this year that that was what he was building towards.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18717 - 09/03/2026 10:34:23    2660617

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Replying To Viking66:  "I think James Byrne is really under rated, been saying that for years now. Redmond and Byrne are both fit. As I said before it wouldn't surprise me in the least if around half the lads who started in Ennis wont be starting in Newbridge.
Yesterday's result was disappointing, it would be nice to be going up to 1a but thats pretty unlikely now.
At the same time the game will be soon forgotten if we go well in Leinster, and in fairness to Keith he stated several times this year that that was what he was building towards."
Im very surprised if both Redmond and Cian Byrne are fit why werent they involved yesterday? Cian Byrne wasnt even on the bench. Yes if we can get a win and good performance against Kildare I think its been a decent league campaign given the circumstances. I think we really need a good performance and convincing win against Kildare Saturday week the last thing we need is them leaving Wexford Park full of confidence that they can turn us over on April 19th. In Newbridge I would take any type of a win. The one thing about our lads is they are fighting until the end

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 927 - 09/03/2026 10:49:38    2660623

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Replying To wexford2012:  "Stepping aside from yesterdays game and result I often think of Clare as a benchmark county for us. Similar population to us, on the fringe of the hurling core, with comparative levels of historic success. However it feels like over the past decade or so there has been a divergence. Most obviously in that they have won 3 all Irelands since our last, most notably 2013 and 2024 but that have the whip hand in most serous encounters with Wexford and have more generally remained competitive in the championship. They are producing the type of player that are really struggling to, big, strong, and who can hurl.

Back in 1995 Liam Griffin sounded an alarm, that the culture of hurling in Wexford was under threat and that we needed senior success to rejuvenate this, this was a driving force behind his push in 1996 but here we are 30 years on and I think that culture is in parts, particularly the towns, collapsing. I heard that in one town school, in 4th class just 4 play hurling, football is doing better with 8/9 playing this is alarming. We know New Ross has been problem for 20 + years, while in Enniscorthy Shamrocks no longer have teams at many (if not most) age groups. You add that the towns is where most of the population growth is happening and it makes the battle here even more existential. Demographics are a challenge, many parents are not from Ireland originally and more have no connection with the GAA. Senior success is in the context even more important and impactful. In the meantime we need a strategy to address these urban challanges.

Where are the bright spots for Wexford GAA? Maybe its the Monday morning blues, but I'm struggling to find them."
You see just picking up on one comment you made in regards to the school where only 4 are hurling but 8 or 9 play football.

The fact that you deem this as alarming is part of the problem. But you're not alone in that thinking, its practically the modus operandi of the HAC and prominent people within wexford GAA. Oh that's a problem,we need to stop those fellas playing football and get them hurling!

Rather than looking at it for what it is, its an opportunity. There's 8 or 9 chaps that are already in a GAA club, well thats a start, let's work with the football and see can we get them to do a bit of hurling maybe,let's actually work together but thats not tye mindset.

We should be using all fhe gaa as a gateway, football, handball, rounders everything we can needs to be a gateway to getting people involved and once they're in the gate then thats half the battle, then you have them, work with them. But again the mindset is they should only be coming in the gate only to hurl in the first place.

Kildare hurlings rise is an example of exactly that, get them in the gate first even if it is for football etc. We need to adapt that mindset but ours is the complete opposite.

And lastly we need to stop the mystisation of fhe game, ah he needs to be at it every day, he needs to be doing this by that age and you can't just treat it as a game, its way more, its a vocation blah blah blah. Kids just want to play a game, .etc them play the game.

A GPO told me that he reckoned close to half the kids in primary schools in wexford town aren't affiliated to any GAA clubs, we need to get them kids in the gate by any means necessary and not just by one means only.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1622 - 09/03/2026 10:51:23    2660624

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Don't think we are at much this year unfortunately. Rossiter was right to start blooding new players but we are seriously lacking in quality and depth all over the field. Clare were comfortable yesterday and it was a lot of their squad players. Our forwards lack any sort of punch apart from Simon Roche. The backs were okay but I thought Conor Foley was poor. We need Chin in every line of the pitch. Hard to expect anyone joining the panel at this stage of the year would have any serious impact in terms of progressing our season. I might be slightly pessimistic but Kildare and Offaly are our priorities this year and I suspect both will fancy their chances against us.

the_post (USA) - Posts: 188 - 09/03/2026 11:21:11    2660633

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James Byrne plays with his head up anyway. Some nice passes yesterday including at least one for Roche who finished well. Need to keep up with those percentage plays instead of wild shooting like Carley did late on. Whether Byrne has enough intensity in him without the ball is another discussion.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 530 - 09/03/2026 11:37:48    2660635

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Replying To wexford2012:  "Stepping aside from yesterdays game and result I often think of Clare as a benchmark county for us. Similar population to us, on the fringe of the hurling core, with comparative levels of historic success. However it feels like over the past decade or so there has been a divergence. Most obviously in that they have won 3 all Irelands since our last, most notably 2013 and 2024 but that have the whip hand in most serous encounters with Wexford and have more generally remained competitive in the championship. They are producing the type of player that are really struggling to, big, strong, and who can hurl.

Back in 1995 Liam Griffin sounded an alarm, that the culture of hurling in Wexford was under threat and that we needed senior success to rejuvenate this, this was a driving force behind his push in 1996 but here we are 30 years on and I think that culture is in parts, particularly the towns, collapsing. I heard that in one town school, in 4th class just 4 play hurling, football is doing better with 8/9 playing this is alarming. We know New Ross has been problem for 20 + years, while in Enniscorthy Shamrocks no longer have teams at many (if not most) age groups. You add that the towns is where most of the population growth is happening and it makes the battle here even more existential. Demographics are a challenge, many parents are not from Ireland originally and more have no connection with the GAA. Senior success is in the context even more important and impactful. In the meantime we need a strategy to address these urban challanges.

Where are the bright spots for Wexford GAA? Maybe its the Monday morning blues, but I'm struggling to find them."
Clare have their challenges in urban/suburban areas too. Likes of Clarecastle and Doora Barefield don't seem as competitive for whatever reason these days. Lohan's own club Wolfe Tones in Shannon struggling at both codes. Population wouldn't be a challenge there. Definitely around Limerick city, Parteen, Clonlara and those areas are benefitting. Little or no hurling out west and north either. Definitely making more out of what they have. Their younger players even on yesterday are better conditioned for senior and have better skill levels than ours. Clare and Limerick are better reference points for Wexford. Cork put about 30 points on a Clare minor team not too long ago. But the Fitzgeralds were finally moved on and they have improved a lot since.

Positives, Roche with 1-6 yesterday for starters. But the game is in a tough spot right now. Must be the bones of another 15 strong club players not committing to the cause for whatever reason this year. A positive year underage and a competitive championship in senior I guess are realistic aims.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 530 - 09/03/2026 11:48:55    2660638

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