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Wexford Hurling 2025

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I think it could be a tough couple of years ahead,(hope I am wrong) bit of a rebuild now, Hanlon, D O Keefe. Possible mcgovern retired, no Ryan either for at least the league and the foleys are away. We are in a tough league with two to go down and the two big games Antrim under Davy and Dublin our first two games in April. Best of luck to Keith and all the team, let hope we have a strong year and find some new up and coming players amd stay injury free as much as possible

hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1025 - 03/01/2025 11:47:40    2584428

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Well lads happy new year all hope it's a good one as regards hurling wise.. the league i would be worried about as id say we wil be without good few regulars again. If we could win our home games it might be enough to stay up while finding a few more for the summer.. on our retirements o hanlon is a warrior never gets the headlines but always preforms on the big days.. o keefe aswell a classy hurler just sorry we didn't get to see him last year at all.. heard a strong rumour that Liam Ryan has packed it in aswell then next day I heard he had a kidney problem.. goes to show how rumours get around the county… like to see young whelan from fethard get a run in the league as think he could be a good replacement for o hanlon.. think Joe Barrett is a good little hurler but lacks size for intercounty.. like to see Conal flood put injuries behind him and Get a good run of games think he could have something to offer in which position i don't know.. Jack Redmond is one i would like to see aswell and hopefully he commits to intercounty..

gannett83 (Wexford) - Posts: 295 - 03/01/2025 11:58:42    2584429

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Yes i believe it will be a tough few years all round . But we ve been hanging on really for a while doing enough but not really looking like contenders for long time bar 2019 when we done well . But still just about scrapped in to leinster final .
Being competitive this year whilst building will be our aim . Lads have to retire at some stage .
And anyone that has i wish them all the best it takes some commitment to be at that level for any sustained
Period . I have nothing but admiration and respect for anyone that commits including lads who may not be regulars they'll put in the same effort .
Looking at the year ahead it will be tough but i think we have some good young players the fear would be blooding too many at same time. No stand out talent and lack physicality possibly. But there is definitely a decent crop let's hope they can step.up.
either way it's our lot and we should get behind them and lower expectations of glory to being competive first and see if we can build on that .
Not concerned about the league just need to hold our own and give lads the chance without getting over exposed or confidence destroyed .
I'm sure the management are well aware of the task ahead and Hope they can find a system or systems that suit our players. We won't match a lot of teams physically so let's try come up with something that works for us . Regardless or any system our workrate is going to have to be through the roof . Maybe that will suit the younger players .
Workrate , speed of feet, hand and mind, heads up smart hurling not a dog fight . Intelligent tackling and positioning
Can we afford to have mac and chin in full forward line with milage on board one maybe but not together though. As I don't see the workrate that will be required . The mind might be willing but the legs may not.
Another year and let's hope it's a new one where introduce new talent and kick on

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 310 - 03/01/2025 12:42:50    2584435

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Replying To hunting:  "I think it could be a tough couple of years ahead,(hope I am wrong) bit of a rebuild now, Hanlon, D O Keefe. Possible mcgovern retired, no Ryan either for at least the league and the foleys are away. We are in a tough league with two to go down and the two big games Antrim under Davy and Dublin our first two games in April. Best of luck to Keith and all the team, let hope we have a strong year and find some new up and coming players amd stay injury free as much as possible"
I'm not sure I agree.

Everyone loses players.

I don't want to disrespect Matt but he wasn't himself the last two years and Dee didn't play at all. They're big losses but not irreplaceable.

It would be nice however to find a few new players without losing key ones at the same time so we're actually progressing instead of standing still or on the back foot.

I said before if we're competitive in the league while we experiment it doesn't really matter if we go down.

Yes we have to rebuild but not to the extent Galway do. Kilkenny will be building as well and Dublin have lost their best player so it's there for us this year if we manage it right in the province.

The two recks and Foley are nailed on so there are defensive positions up for grabs.

Rory, Chin, Byrne and Mac will get scores if they get the ball so it's not all doom and gloom.

We need to look at a new spine really for 3,6,8,9 and 11.

And of course goalkeeper being our biggest problem position since fitzy retired

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3236 - 03/01/2025 13:00:05    2584441

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My understanding was that Gippo had surgery, don't know anything other than that

Are the Foleys away for the whole year or what's the deal there?

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 361 - 03/01/2025 13:30:04    2584443

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Any Challenge games coming up lads? I see Kilkenny have tweeted dates and venues for 3 challenge matches. A pity Walsh Cup isnt on teams are playing games anyway before the league

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 374 - 03/01/2025 14:02:10    2584448

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Best of luck to Matt on his retirement. An exemplary leader and the ultimate professional. Always went about his business and never doubted his commitment to Wexford for the duration of his career. Held TJ at the height of his power better than anyone else in the country."
Great example to other players too as I think he got every last ounce out of himself as an inter county player. The polar opposite of a good number of players with lots of ability in recent seasons. I think he made the right call too, he just couldn't seem to shake off a few injuries in recent seasons and we need lads capable of playing week to week in the league and Leinster.

Are the 2 x Foley's definitely unavailable again this year. If so, think we need to write off their inter county careers. Liam Óg has been a great warrior too but I thought he has struggled with the pace of championship hurling last few seasons in all honesty.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 314 - 03/01/2025 15:29:22    2584451

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Great example to other players too as I think he got every last ounce out of himself as an inter county player. The polar opposite of a good number of players with lots of ability in recent seasons. I think he made the right call too, he just couldn't seem to shake off a few injuries in recent seasons and we need lads capable of playing week to week in the league and Leinster.

Are the 2 x Foley's definitely unavailable again this year. If so, think we need to write off their inter county careers. Liam Óg has been a great warrior too but I thought he has struggled with the pace of championship hurling last few seasons in all honesty."
Oisín would be a great addition if he can commit again as we missed him last year.. doubt Paudie wil commit again but would love if he did

gannett83 (Wexford) - Posts: 295 - 03/01/2025 16:49:32    2584455

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I'm not sure I agree.

Everyone loses players.

I don't want to disrespect Matt but he wasn't himself the last two years and Dee didn't play at all. They're big losses but not irreplaceable.

It would be nice however to find a few new players without losing key ones at the same time so we're actually progressing instead of standing still or on the back foot.

I said before if we're competitive in the league while we experiment it doesn't really matter if we go down.

Yes we have to rebuild but not to the extent Galway do. Kilkenny will be building as well and Dublin have lost their best player so it's there for us this year if we manage it right in the province.

The two recks and Foley are nailed on so there are defensive positions up for grabs.

Rory, Chin, Byrne and Mac will get scores if they get the ball so it's not all doom and gloom.

We need to look at a new spine really for 3,6,8,9 and 11.

And of course goalkeeper being our biggest problem position since fitzy retired"
Replacing the spine of any team is a massive job! Rossiter seemed happy with Fanning last year and I thought Hearne came on a long way last year as a midfielder at this level. Huge problems in the defence especially if Liam Ryan is definitely out. 2 x Recks in the corners and Foley at wing back the most likely but no obvious 3 or 6.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 314 - 03/01/2025 16:57:35    2584457

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Replacing the spine of any team is a massive job! Rossiter seemed happy with Fanning last year and I thought Hearne came on a long way last year as a midfielder at this level. Huge problems in the defence especially if Liam Ryan is definitely out. 2 x Recks in the corners and Foley at wing back the most likely but no obvious 3 or 6."
I think the obvious 6 could be chin but that wpn't happen .

Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 310 - 03/01/2025 17:43:15    2584461

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Replacing the spine of any team is a massive job! Rossiter seemed happy with Fanning last year and I thought Hearne came on a long way last year as a midfielder at this level. Huge problems in the defence especially if Liam Ryan is definitely out. 2 x Recks in the corners and Foley at wing back the most likely but no obvious 3 or 6."
It is a big job but I'd think Foley is the 3 or the 6. He's young enough and has the attributes to develop into either one.

We're still an anchor defender short though.

I do agree on hearne. He's probably done enough to be nailed on 8/9 and I hope conal Clancy is the second if he gets a little time to adapt.

Fanning has never been the answer for me.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3236 - 03/01/2025 18:05:50    2584463

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Replying To Formertownie:  "I think the obvious 6 could be chin but that wpn't happen ."
Is the issue more Chin himself than management? Hope I'm wrong but I suspect there's been an element of the 'tail wagging the dog' with Lee for some time. We absolutely don't need him in the full forward line anyway.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 314 - 03/01/2025 18:15:23    2584465

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What is the story with liam ryan?is he back for championship or gone altogether?

hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1025 - 03/01/2025 19:24:12    2584470

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Replacing the spine of any team is a massive job! Rossiter seemed happy with Fanning last year and I thought Hearne came on a long way last year as a midfielder at this level. Huge problems in the defence especially if Liam Ryan is definitely out. 2 x Recks in the corners and Foley at wing back the most likely but no obvious 3 or 6."
We have lads coming at the back, but if you separate needs for each position into speed, size, hurling especially tackling, hooking, blocking and running and passing forwards, quicker and better decision making (heads up hurling), and inner dog, they all fall short in at least one aspect. There are championship places up for grabs, as there are in every line, so it's up to all those lads to work at getting better at what they lack. That's not Impossible, and hopefully enough of them will.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14157 - 03/01/2025 21:19:54    2584483

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Replying To Timbertony:  "Replacing the spine of any team is a massive job! Rossiter seemed happy with Fanning last year and I thought Hearne came on a long way last year as a midfielder at this level. Huge problems in the defence especially if Liam Ryan is definitely out. 2 x Recks in the corners and Foley at wing back the most likely but no obvious 3 or 6."
We have lads coming at the back, but if you separate needs for each position into speed, size, hurling especially tackling, hooking, blocking and running and passing forwards, quicker and better decision making (heads up hurling), and inner dog, they all fall short in at least one aspect. There are championship places up for grabs, as there are in every line, so it's up to all those lads to work at getting better at what they lack. That's not Impossible, and hopefully enough of them will.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14157 - 03/01/2025 21:20:07    2584484

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Replying To hunting:  "What is the story with liam ryan?is he back for championship or gone altogether?"
He's had some pretty serious health issues. He's meant to be back but I don't see it

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3236 - 03/01/2025 21:53:31    2584488

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Replying To hunting:  "What is the story with liam ryan?is he back for championship or gone altogether?"
I heard that it's unlikely he'll be back which is a huge blow for Wexford

Purpleandgold72 (Wexford) - Posts: 228 - 03/01/2025 22:59:42    2584493

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See here's the thing. GAA players are hammered from pillar to post with no rest and then people wonder about why players are broke up and have chronic health issues or decide it is not worth the sacrifice?
An offseason needs to be an OFFSEASON. Not an opportunity for sneaky behind closed doors training as if training in November when the first match of significance is April. Don't give me "the league matters", nobody gives a crap who wins the league. Nobody cares. Go down to division 2? So what, its winter hurling. Clare won an All-Ireland from Division 2.
The first match that matters for teams is April. That's when they need to be in 6th gear. Not for a league match in January.
I can't understand how GAA managers and officials can't understand this.
No team needs a 5 month pre-season and I bet not one S&C coach anywhere in the world would think it necessary except when they are being paid for their time.
Professional AFL teams have a 6-7 week pre-season with some gym work and they have had a Summer off, not like the Martins lads who were playing up to Christmas.
When is somebody going to call this what it is - complete overtraining nonsense. 01st January should be the first day of training for every team, right across the board. Give players a proper break.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1790 - 03/01/2025 23:39:43    2584494

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "See here's the thing. GAA players are hammered from pillar to post with no rest and then people wonder about why players are broke up and have chronic health issues or decide it is not worth the sacrifice?
An offseason needs to be an OFFSEASON. Not an opportunity for sneaky behind closed doors training as if training in November when the first match of significance is April. Don't give me "the league matters", nobody gives a crap who wins the league. Nobody cares. Go down to division 2? So what, its winter hurling. Clare won an All-Ireland from Division 2.
The first match that matters for teams is April. That's when they need to be in 6th gear. Not for a league match in January.
I can't understand how GAA managers and officials can't understand this.
No team needs a 5 month pre-season and I bet not one S&C coach anywhere in the world would think it necessary except when they are being paid for their time.
Professional AFL teams have a 6-7 week pre-season with some gym work and they have had a Summer off, not like the Martins lads who were playing up to Christmas.
When is somebody going to call this what it is - complete overtraining nonsense. 01st January should be the first day of training for every team, right across the board. Give players a proper break."
Yes and no. We are in a position where we likely are going to have, or at least need, half a dozen new players come championship. We have lads coming up who are just starting out at Senior, or who are on the fringes the last year or 2, who badly need facets of their game improving. This won't happen if they aren't getting top quality coaching.
I do agree that there shouldn't have been collective training anywhere in the country before December 7th, but how do you police that? And once you can't ensure it's not happening somewhere, then it's going to happen pretty much everywhere. The Ulster chairman made a good point about this, why aren't the GPA keeping a better eye on it? For the sake of their own members?
https://www.balls.ie/gaa/ulster-gaa-gpa-619292

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14157 - 04/01/2025 10:02:13    2584518

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Are our lads playing a challenge game today ? I see details of most other top counties games on Twitter but haven't heard when our lads are out next

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 374 - 04/01/2025 10:22:43    2584521

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