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National Hurling League 2026

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Interesting reading

Leinster finals in the 16 years prior to Galway joining

Kilkenny - 11 wins, 2 runners-up

Wexford - 3 wins, 9 runners-up

Offaly - 2 wins, 5 runners-up

Leinster finals in the 16 years after Galway joining

Kilkenny - 11 wins, 3 runners-up

Galway - 3 wins, 7 runners-up

Dublin - 1 win, 5 runners-up

Wexford - 1 win, 1 runner-up

Fair to say we're the big losers in opening up Leinster to everyone."
Opening it up to everyone!
There's only one non-Leinster county on that list! Before Galway were asked to enter the LC it had been almost total domination by the Cats. Galway were invited in, not to help promote Galway or Connacht hurling but with the hope Galway would make it more competitive. I would argue that the ferocity of the 2012 championship between KK and Galway gave a very good Dublin team the opportunity to win a first Leinster title. The previous Dublin wins by its hurlers was by a Rest of Ireland team that called itself Dublin. There has also been a lot of support, in the form of coaching and finance given to Dublin hurling in the past 25 years. Sadly for the true Dublin hurling supporter some of their best hurlers opted for the big ball.

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 312 - 31/03/2026 12:51:16    2664111

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "Its actually interesting to see how much Dublin improved in that time.."
Dublin had a good team when Galway 1st came in.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18997 - 31/03/2026 13:08:25    2664113

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Replying To The_DOC:  "Your the big losers REGARDLESS of Leinster being open or not, ye have played in 3 All ireland final s in the last 50 years and one 1. Im not saying it in jest, I loved that 96 team, but serioursly, would it ahve made a difference if Galway kept hammering Rossies/Mayo in Connacht? All it would have done in reality is added + 3 to Kk and +7 in runners up divided across Lenister counties."
Think you have been runners up 8 times. But you are also wrong about the 3 KK wins if you werent in it. We knocked them out in the Leinster SF before losing to yourselves in the final in 2017. And Im not sure we wouldve lost to them in Croke Park in 2018 either. They only barely beat us by a point at their place that year. And in 2024 another year we wouldve made the final if yourselves and Antrim werent in it we played them in Nowlan Park, and only lost by a point after a really poor decision from a Galway referee, so we might well have beaten them in Croke Park.
And just while you pointed out we have only won 1 AI in the last 50 years, you have only won 1 in the last 47 yourselves, hardly world beaters.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18997 - 31/03/2026 13:22:14    2664117

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "Hurling as I stated previously came from the townland, the parish and the club, an amateur game - all that has changed obviously."
It does. So why are you in the Leinster championship at all?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18997 - 31/03/2026 13:23:07    2664118

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "Hurling as I stated previously came from the townland, the parish and the club, an amateur game - all that has changed obviously."
Oh, I know what you stated previously. I keep repeating part of it back to you. Issue is you don't accept the implications of what you stated, no matter how unintentional they were.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3460 - 31/03/2026 13:39:41    2664125

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "Opening it up to everyone!
There's only one non-Leinster county on that list! Before Galway were asked to enter the LC it had been almost total domination by the Cats. Galway were invited in, not to help promote Galway or Connacht hurling but with the hope Galway would make it more competitive. I would argue that the ferocity of the 2012 championship between KK and Galway gave a very good Dublin team the opportunity to win a first Leinster title. The previous Dublin wins by its hurlers was by a Rest of Ireland team that called itself Dublin. There has also been a lot of support, in the form of coaching and finance given to Dublin hurling in the past 25 years. Sadly for the true Dublin hurling supporter some of their best hurlers opted for the big ball."
Just because Antrim didn't appear in a final during that time doesn't mean they weren't part of "opening it up to everyone". And in recent years, other Ulster counties (Down & Derry) have competed in Leinster Minor and/or U20 hurling championships too, so that's another sign of opening things up.

Also, let's not forget that the Galway senior hurlers of the time were fully behind the move. Team captain David Collins spoke at the meeting where it was decided, to say they were in favour of getting more competitive games as it could only bring them on as a team.

Main opposition to the move at that meeting stemmed from what are really two "mé féin" considerations:
1. Losing an easier route to an All-Ireland semi-final.
2. Financial consequences of the extra matches, re. travelling, training, etc.

The move was clearly designed to benefit Galway themselves as well as benefit the Leinster Championship.

And if Galway didn't ultimately see the benefit to them of competing at senior level in Leinster, then why did they push a few years ago to be allowed compete in Leinster in Minor & U20 as well?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3460 - 31/03/2026 13:52:33    2664130

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Replying To The_DOC:  "Your the big losers REGARDLESS of Leinster being open or not, ye have played in 3 All ireland final s in the last 50 years and one 1. Im not saying it in jest, I loved that 96 team, but serioursly, would it ahve made a difference if Galway kept hammering Rossies/Mayo in Connacht? All it would have done in reality is added + 3 to Kk and +7 in runners up divided across Lenister counties."
50 years is a convenient number to suit your point.

Would it? We'd have continued getting exposure to later stages of the championship and we took Kilkenny out of your way in 17.

We're also the last team to beat Kilkenny in a Leinster final. Granted we haven't reached one since, but another poster made the point the other day that we dropped more points to the 6th team in the province than anyone else. Our own fault I know but had the structure and format not changed we could well have won more.

Don't get me wrong either, I quite admire Galway and having done since the 90s and it's not your fault.

I'm simply making the objective points that Wexford having sacrificed the most for the benefit of the game in the last 20 odd years.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4373 - 31/03/2026 14:38:25    2664139

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "Opening it up to everyone!
There's only one non-Leinster county on that list! Before Galway were asked to enter the LC it had been almost total domination by the Cats. Galway were invited in, not to help promote Galway or Connacht hurling but with the hope Galway would make it more competitive. I would argue that the ferocity of the 2012 championship between KK and Galway gave a very good Dublin team the opportunity to win a first Leinster title. The previous Dublin wins by its hurlers was by a Rest of Ireland team that called itself Dublin. There has also been a lot of support, in the form of coaching and finance given to Dublin hurling in the past 25 years. Sadly for the true Dublin hurling supporter some of their best hurlers opted for the big ball."
No doubt Galway improved the overall quality and yes that did benefit Dublin and I agree with everything you said about them.

What I meant by everyone is Antrim joined at the same time and there's a 6th involved which has had a negative impact on Wexford too, our own fault of course.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4373 - 31/03/2026 14:42:24    2664140

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Just because Antrim didn't appear in a final during that time doesn't mean they weren't part of "opening it up to everyone". And in recent years, other Ulster counties (Down & Derry) have competed in Leinster Minor and/or U20 hurling championships too, so that's another sign of opening things up.

Also, let's not forget that the Galway senior hurlers of the time were fully behind the move. Team captain David Collins spoke at the meeting where it was decided, to say they were in favour of getting more competitive games as it could only bring them on as a team.

Main opposition to the move at that meeting stemmed from what are really two "mé féin" considerations:
1. Losing an easier route to an All-Ireland semi-final.
2. Financial consequences of the extra matches, re. travelling, training, etc.

The move was clearly designed to benefit Galway themselves as well as benefit the Leinster Championship.

And if Galway didn't ultimately see the benefit to them of competing at senior level in Leinster, then why did they push a few years ago to be allowed compete in Leinster in Minor & U20 as well?"
I'm expressing my own opinions on the matter here. I'm sure there were varying ideas amongst the Galway hurlers themselves. Players rarely have much influence on the workings of their county board or their provincial council.
I started this in response to Vikings comment that the Leinster championship needed more teams in it...I'll say no more.

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 312 - 31/03/2026 15:04:47    2664147

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "I'm expressing my own opinions on the matter here. I'm sure there were varying ideas amongst the Galway hurlers themselves. Players rarely have much influence on the workings of their county board or their provincial council.
I started this in response to Vikings comment that the Leinster championship needed more teams in it...I'll say no more."
I didnt say it needed more teams, I said it needed more Leinster teams.
Of course you are entitled to your opinions, they are usually very good and well thought out too.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18997 - 31/03/2026 15:35:17    2664152

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "50 years is a convenient number to suit your point.

Would it? We'd have continued getting exposure to later stages of the championship and we took Kilkenny out of your way in 17.

We're also the last team to beat Kilkenny in a Leinster final. Granted we haven't reached one since, but another poster made the point the other day that we dropped more points to the 6th team in the province than anyone else. Our own fault I know but had the structure and format not changed we could well have won more.

Don't get me wrong either, I quite admire Galway and having done since the 90s and it's not your fault.

I'm simply making the objective points that Wexford having sacrificed the most for the benefit of the game in the last 20 odd years."
Id also be an admirer of Galway hurling, club and county. Except when they are playing us! Damien Hayes and the 2 Cannings were 2 of my favourite hurlers to watch over the last 30 years, and Whelan, when on song, and Cathal Mannion of the current side.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18997 - 31/03/2026 15:39:24    2664154

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "@DoylerWex - yup. We went from being in Leinster Finals most years (12 out of 16), to only being there once in a blue moon.

Thing is though, Galway coming into Leinster coincided more or less with Dublin appointing Anthony Daly as manager, and Wexford appointing Colm Bonnar. Dublin made great progress, while we went backwards. I reckon that's every bit as much factor in the record for the past 16 years as Galway's introduction to Leinster."
I think you hit the nail on the head. Wexford with the exception of the 3 x U21 teams in a row have been very poor for the last 20+ years in Leinster. Your record speaks for itself.
Wexford just have not produced good enough hurlers and both underage and adult success bear this reality out.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1583 - 31/03/2026 15:43:54    2664155

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "I'm expressing my own opinions on the matter here. I'm sure there were varying ideas amongst the Galway hurlers themselves. Players rarely have much influence on the workings of their county board or their provincial council.
I started this in response to Vikings comment that the Leinster championship needed more teams in it...I'll say no more."
At this stage, I'm not even sure what your opinions are any more.

That Galway should remain out on its own for nothing other than geographical reasons, and revert to going straight to an All-Ireland quarter-final or semi-final each year instead of having to qualify for it, like all the other Tier 1 counties have to do?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3460 - 31/03/2026 16:02:37    2664161

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Replying To Viking66:  "I didnt say it needed more teams, I said it needed more Leinster teams.
Of course you are entitled to your opinions, they are usually very good and well thought out too."
Correct. The Leinster teams are there in your province, 12 of them, but only about 25% of them play hurling at the highest level. In Connacht it's 20%, in Ulster 11%, Munster 83%.

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 312 - 31/03/2026 16:05:11    2664163

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "Opening it up to everyone!
There's only one non-Leinster county on that list! Before Galway were asked to enter the LC it had been almost total domination by the Cats. Galway were invited in, not to help promote Galway or Connacht hurling but with the hope Galway would make it more competitive. I would argue that the ferocity of the 2012 championship between KK and Galway gave a very good Dublin team the opportunity to win a first Leinster title. The previous Dublin wins by its hurlers was by a Rest of Ireland team that called itself Dublin. There has also been a lot of support, in the form of coaching and finance given to Dublin hurling in the past 25 years. Sadly for the true Dublin hurling supporter some of their best hurlers opted for the big ball."
Dublin also beat Galway in the 2011 Leinster semi final in Tullamore. Were they tired out from beating Westmeath in the quarter final :-)

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4130 - 31/03/2026 16:10:16    2664166

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Dublin's hammering of Galway in the 2013 final was Dublin's fifth game in six weeks, following ferocious draws and replays against Wexford and the Cats.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4130 - 31/03/2026 16:13:25    2664167

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Dublin team that won Leinster in 1961 had one non Dub. Paddy Croke from Tipperary.

If people are going to be dishing out condescending back handed compliments they need to get facts right!

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4130 - 31/03/2026 16:18:58    2664170

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Dublin's hammering of Galway in the 2013 final was Dublin's fifth game in six weeks, following ferocious draws and replays against Wexford and the Cats."
Ah yes, the cut and thrust of real Leinster Championship hurling Barney ;-)

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18997 - 31/03/2026 16:53:48    2664174

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Dublin team that won Leinster in 1961 had one non Dub. Paddy Croke from Tipperary.

If people are going to be dishing out condescending back handed compliments they need to get facts right!"
Well done, ye were great!

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 312 - 31/03/2026 17:25:10    2664180

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Dublin also beat Galway in the 2011 Leinster semi final in Tullamore. Were they tired out from beating Westmeath in the quarter final :-)"
Galway aren't really that bothered about Leinster titles as you're aware I'm sure. Not in our tradition. However, Galway hammered Dublin that same year in the U21 All Ireland Final in Thurles. Remember that one?

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 312 - 31/03/2026 17:28:21    2664181

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