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Wexford Club Hurling 2026

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Just a few thoughts on the suggestion by formertownie, and specificaly with regard to Senior Group C and how 3rd and 4th there would drop into playoffs for Intermediate -

1. First, I'm not sure it would even be allowed. I can find no specific provision in the Rule Book to say that a team can't drop down a championship grade and play in that lower grade in the same year, but am guessing that's maybe because it would be so unusual that the Rule Book doesn't even allow for the possibility. And at the very least, you'd need a regrading process after the Senior group stages are complete, so that any player who lined out in those games becomes eligible for Intermediate for the rest of the year.

2. The team finishing 15th overall (i.e. 5th in Group C) would be done for the year. Yet two teams finishing above them (13th and 14th overall) and eight teams below them (top four in each Intermediate group) would continue to compete for a title that the team in 15th wouldn't be eligible for. Am not sure that's fair.

3. Would teams finishing 3rd and 4th in Group C even be that bothered about the Intermediate title? Normally the big prize for winning Intermediate is promotion to Senior the following year. But these clubs are already in Senior and their Senior status for the following year is already secure.

4. Now consider if these two clubs did reach the Intermediate Final. You'd need a promotion playoff between the beaten semi-finalists. And so you'd be looking at a situation where a match with no title or trophies or medals at stake would be arguably more significant than what would be the Intermediate County Final.

If we're to stick with groups of six, I like the StoreysTash idea more and more every time I think of it. But issue is football would surely want it too, then we'd need the extra round of games in both codes, we'd be up to 18 rounds of championship altogether, so even less chance of a free weekend or of getting everything played in time if either or both of our county teams went on a longer run than this year."
Good points pikeman
My reasoning was to reduce the number of games would still take same amount of weeks if football follows same structure an extra week .
Give promoted teams a chance to stay up and build
Teams in top 2 groups be closer in standard
More jeopardy in all 5 groups .
1 tweak that would and might work is 3rd 4th would only stay in group c if they nake the finsl or won play off with other semi finalist . That might make group c and intermediate championship a little bit more interesting and competitive .
As regards promotion to senior championship if theres no rule on it why would there be a problem.
Dropping to intermediate championship could be introduced by bye law if needed I ll assume u woukd be more up on rules .
The proposed structure is trying to think outside the box to help increase stand jeopardy and prevent overload .
By giving teams a week off in round Robin.
And the better u do in round Robin an extra week off .
The one downfall is 15th out for year but to have jeopardy u need some consequence for finishing bottom .
Regardless of good or bad I m not in a position to put to any club as a proposal at oresent unless by chance we come accross something that might work . Maybe someone in here would put proposal in .
Not necessarily anything I d put up but a combination or different structural proposal .
I ll keep trying to come up with some sort of proposal Structure that might work .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 682 - 27/08/2026 12:32:35    2691522

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@Formertownie - thanks for the reply.

Think you may have misunderstood me where you wrote "As regards promotion to senior championship if theres no rule on it why would there be a problem." My point is that it's demotion from Senior to Intermediate in the same year where the issue may lie.

And on an associated point, where you wrote "Dropping to intermediate championship could be introduced by bye law if needed" - there's an over-riding rule that no county bye-law can contravene a general rule. So if dropping down a grade in the same year isn't allowed for in the overall Rule Book, we couldn't have a county bye-law on it. It would instead require a change at Congress to the Rule Book itself.

Anyway, these are technical points. Main thing I was wondering about is whether a team in 3rd or 4th in Group C would even be bothered with the Intermediate title since they'd already be Senior for the following year anyway.

I see you've a suggestion now to address that but am not sure how it would work in practice either. For starters, you'd be putting far more pressure on teams in Group C to avoid relegation. Not only do they not have to finish bottom, but if I'm reading you right, they'd then to have win two other matches as well? i.e. Intermediate quarter-final and either a semi-final or a play-off against another beaten semi-finalist.

Seems then that some years you could have three teams relegated. Other years, just one. Maybe some would see that as a good thing regarding jeopardy, but I'm just not sure how it would play out in practice.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3928 - 27/08/2026 13:20:14    2691533

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I'm not deadset against two groups of 5 in each grade rather than two groups of 6, don't think we can say Senior is teeming with quality clubs even at the lower end right now, 4 games in a group is plenty, would give players an extra by week so they can get some training work in rather than spending most of the week recovering, would create jeopardy alright because if you had 1st going straight through to the SFs, 2nd vs 3rd in the QFs, 4th done for the year, and 5th in the relegation final, nearly every game would have something riding on it, feels like teams have been going through the motions a bit this year (And over the last few years) because they know they can lose and get away with it, Championship is supposed to be competitive, some of our games have been more like practice matches

Problem is that I can't see clubs voting for it, clubs are proud of staying Senior and reducing Senior from 12 clubs to 10 puts them under a bit more pressure, that's how they'll see it IMO

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1518 - 27/08/2026 13:51:01    2691537

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Fair enough points i sure it could be tweaked . Thats the reason I d post here to try eliminate pitfalls I ll try sit down candy witk it out on paper and re post . Taking into account any issues u hacmve raised .
I ws msking it up from an idea in my head whilst writing .
With whatever proposal it wont be ideal like all other structures. The one thst might get through is one closest to present structure as familiarity is one if the main stipulations from just people . Nothing drastic or that is detrimental to a cluvs ptospects

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 682 - 27/08/2026 14:05:29    2691543

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I'm not deadset against two groups of 5 in each grade rather than two groups of 6, don't think we can say Senior is teeming with quality clubs even at the lower end right now, 4 games in a group is plenty, would give players an extra by week so they can get some training work in rather than spending most of the week recovering, would create jeopardy alright because if you had 1st going straight through to the SFs, 2nd vs 3rd in the QFs, 4th done for the year, and 5th in the relegation final, nearly every game would have something riding on it, feels like teams have been going through the motions a bit this year (And over the last few years) because they know they can lose and get away with it, Championship is supposed to be competitive, some of our games have been more like practice matches

Problem is that I can't see clubs voting for it, clubs are proud of staying Senior and reducing Senior from 12 clubs to 10 puts them under a bit more pressure, that's how they'll see it IMO"
Call the 3rd group of 5 Senior B?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20574 - 27/08/2026 14:37:15    2691549

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I'm not deadset against two groups of 5 in each grade rather than two groups of 6, don't think we can say Senior is teeming with quality clubs even at the lower end right now, 4 games in a group is plenty, would give players an extra by week so they can get some training work in rather than spending most of the week recovering, would create jeopardy alright because if you had 1st going straight through to the SFs, 2nd vs 3rd in the QFs, 4th done for the year, and 5th in the relegation final, nearly every game would have something riding on it, feels like teams have been going through the motions a bit this year (And over the last few years) because they know they can lose and get away with it, Championship is supposed to be competitive, some of our games have been more like practice matches

Problem is that I can't see clubs voting for it, clubs are proud of staying Senior and reducing Senior from 12 clubs to 10 puts them under a bit more pressure, that's how they'll see it IMO"
I think that's a nail on the head moment. Goes back to the old chestnut of how clubs will generally vote for what suits themselves best, rather than what might suit the championship itself best.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3928 - 27/08/2026 15:15:12    2691553

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Replying To Viking66:  "Call the 3rd group of 5 Senior B?"
Might only double the issue, if the issue I believe might be there does indeed exist. If you start with something called Senior B, where some of the teams move up to Senior A as the year progresses and others drop to Intermediate, then you'd have movement in both directions.

Closest thing I can think of to what Formertownie suggests is in Derry hurling. They have eight teams, and two groups of four. First and second play each other, with winners going to Senior Final and losers going to Intermediate Final. Third and fourth in each group play Junior semi-finals.

But a few key points, and this really is technical:
- Their group stage is just called "the Hurling Championship". It's not allocated a grade of Senior, Intermediate, or anything else.
- The things that are really senior semi-finals are actually called "Senior/Intermediate playoffs".
- Technically, the Senior Championship isn't formed and doesn't begin until after these games are played. Means that technically, the actual Senior Championship only ever has two sides in it, and the only actual Senior Championship match played is the county final. Likewise with Intermediate.
- Basically, what they have is a essentially a qualifier League (despite how they call it "Championship") and playoffs, to determine which championship you go into. But the actual, technical championships only have one match in Senior, one in Intermediate, and three in Junior (two semi-finals and a final).

I don't think an equally imaginative "solution" would work here. The teams finishing 3rd and 4th in Senior Group C wouldn't be going into a newly-formed Intermediate Championship, where all teams would start on an equal footing. They'd instead be joining one in mid-competition after all other teams in it have played several times already.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3928 - 27/08/2026 15:30:07    2691556

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Replying To Viking66:  "Call the 3rd group of 5 Senior B?"
I wouldn't have a third group of 5, would have 10 in Senior, then the next 10 in Intermediate, then the next 10 in Intermediate A and so on

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1518 - 27/08/2026 15:31:59    2691557

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Might only double the issue, if the issue I believe might be there does indeed exist. If you start with something called Senior B, where some of the teams move up to Senior A as the year progresses and others drop to Intermediate, then you'd have movement in both directions.

Closest thing I can think of to what Formertownie suggests is in Derry hurling. They have eight teams, and two groups of four. First and second play each other, with winners going to Senior Final and losers going to Intermediate Final. Third and fourth in each group play Junior semi-finals.

But a few key points, and this really is technical:
- Their group stage is just called "the Hurling Championship". It's not allocated a grade of Senior, Intermediate, or anything else.
- The things that are really senior semi-finals are actually called "Senior/Intermediate playoffs".
- Technically, the Senior Championship isn't formed and doesn't begin until after these games are played. Means that technically, the actual Senior Championship only ever has two sides in it, and the only actual Senior Championship match played is the county final. Likewise with Intermediate.
- Basically, what they have is a essentially a qualifier League (despite how they call it "Championship") and playoffs, to determine which championship you go into. But the actual, technical championships only have one match in Senior, one in Intermediate, and three in Junior (two semi-finals and a final).

I don't think an equally imaginative "solution" would work here. The teams finishing 3rd and 4th in Senior Group C wouldn't be going into a newly-formed Intermediate Championship, where all teams would start on an equal footing. They'd instead be joining one in mid-competition after all other teams in it have played several times already."
I still think 3 groups of 4 would suit us best as a dual county. It would mean we have a couple of extra "free" weekends should our Senior Hurlers or Footballers go far in a given year. Or an extra week for recovery for our dual players, who are in a large majority, should they not.
Increasing the quantity of adult club games to improve the standard of our best hurlers so that they can be better intercounty hurlers is a complete red herring. Its shutting the door after the horse has bolted, and so long after its bolted that the horse is drinking water at a river many miles away.
Its at u6- u12 where we need to get more young lads up to a good basic standard technically. Then get them to start understanding the pitch, the game, tactical and psychological stuff, from u14 to u18 when they are playing on a full size pitch.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20574 - 27/08/2026 15:52:30    2691560

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How are you going to organise your knockout stages with 3 groups of 4?

Onfor15 (Wexford) - Posts: 545 - 27/08/2026 21:08:32    2691604

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Replying To Onfor15:  "How are you going to organise your knockout stages with 3 groups of 4?"
Seeded groups based on previous year, 2 best 3rd place finishers qualify for QFs, along with top 2 in each group.
I know there will be an element of luck of the draw, and group might be slightly stronger than another, but there is that every year anyway, especially with so many lads going travelling from most if not all clubs.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20574 - 28/08/2026 08:55:07    2691635

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Replying To Onfor15:  "How are you going to organise your knockout stages with 3 groups of 4?"
I'd say the top two from each group would go straight through to the QFs and they'd be joined by the two best-placed 3rd place teams

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1518 - 28/08/2026 09:08:58    2691638

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Replying To Onfor15:  "How are you going to organise your knockout stages with 3 groups of 4?"
Top 6 straight into the quarter finals comprising of the top 2 teams in each group .
Group winners plus best 2nd place team are seeded and cannot play each other in the quarter final.
Remaining 3 x 3rd place teams plus best 4th place team play 2 preliminary quarter finals. Losers play Relegation semi Finals v the 2 bottom place teams.
Takes 7 Rds to complete.
Only the top 6 are free from Relegation threat.
Loads of Jeopardy and every game is a must win.

Trump2 (Wexford) - Posts: 18 - 28/08/2026 09:56:13    2691658

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Replying To Onfor15:  "How are you going to organise your knockout stages with 3 groups of 4?"
This is where this suggestion always gets tricky. Usual proposal is that the top two from each group would go to quarter-finals, and so would the two third-placed teams with the best records. But that introduces what many might consider too much of a "luck of the draw" element in what group you're drawn into in the first place.

Let's just say that in Senior Hurling, for instance, St. Martin's are in Group A and Rathnure are in Group B, and both are absolutely flying in the group stage, winning all three of their matches by 10 points or more.

Whoever comes third in those groups could have two points after winning a close one, losing a close one, but losing to one of the "big guns" by double digits and so have a relatively poor overall scoring difference.

Whoever comes third in a more evenly-balanced Group C could have two points after winning one close one and losing two close ones, for a better overall score difference. They'd be going through largely because they avoided St. Martin's and Rathnure in the draw, at the expense of somebody who didn't manage to avoid them.

Realise of course that there's a "luck of the draw" element to all sporting competitions, but some might consider this one too much.

Also occurs to me there'd be complications in seeding the draw in the first place, but I won't start spelling that one out, or else it'd become another long and technical one here!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3928 - 28/08/2026 11:46:00    2691677

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Replying To Onfor15:  "How are you going to organise your knockout stages with 3 groups of 4?"
I think Meath Football Championship was like that up to recently. They drew Group A/B/C into 4s, then drew A, B or C out of another pot. The group that came out only two went through but their was no relegation jeopardy, the other two groups three went through but the 4th place team in both were in relegation final. Element of pot luck and probably not ideal but I do think something has to be done. So many lads in clubs have played every minute 9 weekends on the trot! It would be interesting to compile a report of an injured list for each club, I'd say its shocking how many lads carrying knocks, niggles and some more serious.

hownow1 (Wexford) - Posts: 6 - 28/08/2026 12:11:07    2691679

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Watched some of Ballyhale and Dicksboro last night . The intensity shown was way ahead of anything I've seen in our championship . We need to start seeing our clubs up the intensity and speed of hurling if we are to compete at inter county

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1123 - 28/08/2026 13:54:36    2691699

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Replying To Onfor15:  "How are you going to organise your knockout stages with 3 groups of 4?"
Top 2 teams in each group go through (6) and then the two best teams in 3rd place. The worst 3rd place team and the bottom three teams into relegation semi. Keeps it interesting until the last day.

alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 612 - 28/08/2026 15:35:47    2691713

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Watched some of Ballyhale and Dicksboro last night . The intensity shown was way ahead of anything I've seen in our championship . We need to start seeing our clubs up the intensity and speed of hurling if we are to compete at inter county"
Wont happen with no Jeopardy.

countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 1086 - 28/08/2026 16:07:21    2691716

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Replying To Trump2:  "Top 6 straight into the quarter finals comprising of the top 2 teams in each group .
Group winners plus best 2nd place team are seeded and cannot play each other in the quarter final.
Remaining 3 x 3rd place teams plus best 4th place team play 2 preliminary quarter finals. Losers play Relegation semi Finals v the 2 bottom place teams.
Takes 7 Rds to complete.
Only the top 6 are free from Relegation threat.
Loads of Jeopardy and every game is a must win."
That sounds better than what I was thinking

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20574 - 28/08/2026 16:11:32    2691719

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "This is where this suggestion always gets tricky. Usual proposal is that the top two from each group would go to quarter-finals, and so would the two third-placed teams with the best records. But that introduces what many might consider too much of a "luck of the draw" element in what group you're drawn into in the first place.

Let's just say that in Senior Hurling, for instance, St. Martin's are in Group A and Rathnure are in Group B, and both are absolutely flying in the group stage, winning all three of their matches by 10 points or more.

Whoever comes third in those groups could have two points after winning a close one, losing a close one, but losing to one of the "big guns" by double digits and so have a relatively poor overall scoring difference.

Whoever comes third in a more evenly-balanced Group C could have two points after winning one close one and losing two close ones, for a better overall score difference. They'd be going through largely because they avoided St. Martin's and Rathnure in the draw, at the expense of somebody who didn't manage to avoid them.

Realise of course that there's a "luck of the draw" element to all sporting competitions, but some might consider this one too much.

Also occurs to me there'd be complications in seeding the draw in the first place, but I won't start spelling that one out, or else it'd become another long and technical one here!"
We do have seeded draws as it is?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20574 - 28/08/2026 16:12:18    2691720

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