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Wexford Hurling 2025

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Rory is going to Australia next year and won't be around. Heard it this morning. Massive massive blow.

hunting (Wexford) - Posts: 1148 - 27/05/2025 08:42:09    2612941

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Replying To gannett83:  "Well lads another year over which is a shame please god they wil bring back the Walsh cup next year but it's going to be a long 7-8 months for our next game.. just hope we don't loose anyone to retirements… hopefully now we can get a few from the club championships who wil commit next year mainly 2 players I would love to see back in Wexford colours are Jack Cullen of gorey and Oisín foley 2 big men and good hurlers.. surely there has to be better hurlers in Wexford than mikie Dwyer?? On the championship itself my top 3 and most consistent performers have been chin hearne and Kevin foley… anyone know what happened to Liam Ryan and wil he play the club championship this year really can't see him giving it another year for Wexford… as regards rossiter does he stay or does he go??? Also anyone else who people would want to see next year in Wexford colours??"
Oisin Foley and a fully fit Conor Mac would really add to our forward line options next year and please god Rory and Chin stay on. If Cian Byrne can do a good winter of gym work he has all the skill to become a top forward for us the same with CBD in midfield.

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 642 - 27/05/2025 09:42:08    2612946

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Replying To Magpie2:  "Well done Conor Foley, Mark Fanning and Lee Chin for been selected on the team of the week."
Yes fair play to them!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16027 - 27/05/2025 10:00:49    2612952

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Just as a quick point regarding our under-age results in recent years....

The main aim of development squads/Minor teams/U20 teams should be develop hurlers who can start for the Senior side and the secondary aim should be to win under-age/Minor/U20 tournaments/championships

Of course, the better you are at developing hurlers, the more likely you are to win championships so the two aims work in tandem

But if you had to pick one, better to get a good few hurlers from a side that isn't very good than to get not very many hurlers from a side that is very good. Galway have won countless AI Minor titles in the last 30 years but have only the 1 Senior title in that timeframe to show for it, Limerick on the other hand haven't won a Minor AI in recent memory yet have been dominant at Senior level in the last few years

Regarding our Minor team this year, would've thought that Seán O'Brien, Darragh Ryan, and Rhys Wickham were the most promising players going forward, Wickham is raw and needs to improve his hurling a lot but you can't teach his athleticism and mentality and his club traditionally have done a very good job at developing skilful hurlers

You're realistically looking for two hurlers from each age-group to end up starting Senior, that's the benchmark"
I agree with you on Seán O'Brien, Darragh Ryan, and Rhys Wickham. Joey Tobin looks like a good prospect too. What are the chances of Sean O Brien training with the senior squad next year given hes overage for u17?

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 642 - 27/05/2025 10:03:17    2612953

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Replying To Tox73:  "Yesterday was a very untried untested Kilkenny team. They gave game to players who needed it and players on the bottom side of their squad. It was a dead rubber,KK have their eyes on a 6 Leinster in a row. It's good to get fringe players game time. Yesterday there were nothing to play for- only thing on Table 2 years ago was Wexford could drop down if they didn't win, KK were looking ahead at a Leinster final."
Agree about yesterday, neither team had much to play for, although the Kilkenny lads were fighting for places whereas our lads were just playing out their last game. We didn't get out of 2nd gear because we didn't have to.
2023 was a full blooded affair, Kilkenny named their strongest team and nearly paid the price down the line as several of them had to go off injured. They'd of been absolutely delighted to relegate us.
The rest of the games we have played against them were also very meaningful, Leinster Final, semifinal, and defacto semifinals. Even qualifying 3rd on the line for both teams in 2022 and 2019.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16027 - 27/05/2025 10:05:22    2612954

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Replying To hunting:  "Rory is going to Australia next year and won't be around. Heard it this morning. Massive massive blow."
Thats a massive blow if true but its his life he's only young once unfortunately

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 642 - 27/05/2025 10:06:10    2612956

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Replying To Viking66:  "CBD playing really well. All the younger lads are in fairness. Cians touch still not as good as usual, and Darragh took too much out of a ball, but overall all 6 of them going OK.
Great to see Mikie looking lively too, hopefully he can be a big player for us next year."
CBD very good but how many years we been saying "next year" about MD and a few other players involved with this group. Mikie is 29 nearly I think so doesn't have too many "next years". Him, Charlie and Darren Codd just aren't up to inter county hurling - good club hurlers but that's it. Rossie obviously see the lads in training but surely last Sunday was a day to start Tucker Kinsella and Jack Redmond etc to give them decent game time to see if they can make the step up. I also questioned Andy Kennedys inclusion in the panel at start of year... if Andy is a serious option for next year why not start him against Kilkenny.

grassroots01 (Wexford) - Posts: 182 - 27/05/2025 10:13:53    2612959

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Replying To Tox73:  "Hi All,another year gone without landing a punch, didn't get the to the playoffs at Senior, Minors were poor no point sugar coated, Was backroom pressurised in using the Wexford way blue print? U20 were poor also,Sean Rowley huge loss and Cillian Byrne injured didn't help with either.Simon Roche from Oulart hadn't hit
Heights he capable of. Amazing that this was Dylan Purcell played for 3 years, great man marker but they tried him out, last year he played 11/14 at club. Paudie Soyle has certainly gone a bit but Club will get his focMojo back. Like Roark as a great prospect at 6.
Sorry drifted away-
Can anyone tell me about the Wexford way? What it is? Strangely the minors set up like U20s and Senior teams. It's Ludicrous, is this best we have? We never had a success if it's true. Who came up with brainwave?
Also where are the benefits on having a Director of Hurling? I don't see anything to date,Is it all a big secret to transfer the whole county to winning ways. He is there so needs to tell us what's he at?"
Roark is a possible prospect at 3, he hasn't showed any potential at 6.
As regard the Wexford Way it's not a style of hurling, it's a far more loose aspiration about playing with heart and intensity, there's nothing in it about tactical set up.
The minors played zonal defense in the halfback line, which our Seniors and u20s didn't. Our Seniors tend to try crowd the middle 3rd, the minor set up left acres of space there for Kilkenny, Limerick and Galway. Our u20s were the only team that played a free man/sweeper. Both our minors and u20s seemed to play some backs in the forwards, not sure why.
Our minors also played Darragh Ryan at 6, he's a forward all the way up. At Senior Conor Foley was always a forward or midfielder, still dont think hes a defender, and certainly not in the fullback line. Our u20s picked alot of u18s this year, who were less able physically with the exception of Eoin Hughes who I think is an excellent prospect.
Dylan Purcell didn't look as sharp or confident in the games I saw, most of which he was playing in the forwards. Not sure why, he did better for his club last year .
Agree Byrne and Rowley were huge losses for the u20s, I know Byrne played but he didn't look sharp after missing so much time.
1 more big difference between our minors and u20s, and our Senior team, the minors and u20s beat Dublin, the Seniors didn't. Again. As usual. If the Seniors had of beaten Dublin they'd possibly be looking forward to a Leinster Final.
Think Niall Williams does alot of coordinating and organising, and coaches sessions also. Watched a couple of them, he seems OK but like alot of our top coaches not the most vocal of men.
In general we are poor at club and county level from u8 upwards as regards on pitch communication, and communication from the sidelines. Oylegates u12s/u14s being the only exception I can think of off the top of my head.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16027 - 27/05/2025 10:21:54    2612961

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Replying To Viking66:  "Agree about yesterday, neither team had much to play for, although the Kilkenny lads were fighting for places whereas our lads were just playing out their last game. We didn't get out of 2nd gear because we didn't have to.
2023 was a full blooded affair, Kilkenny named their strongest team and nearly paid the price down the line as several of them had to go off injured. They'd of been absolutely delighted to relegate us.
The rest of the games we have played against them were also very meaningful, Leinster Final, semifinal, and defacto semifinals. Even qualifying 3rd on the line for both teams in 2022 and 2019."
I would still be in favour of Kilkenny v Wexford in the first round of the Leinster championship in 2026.

Mix things up a bit and both teams have everything to play for in round 1.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 949 - 27/05/2025 10:21:57    2612962

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Replying To hunting:  "Rory is going to Australia next year and won't be around. Heard it this morning. Massive massive blow."
Heard that too. But also heard he won't be from a couple of fellas who know him. Maybe he hasn't made his mind up yet, or maybe people are just talking through their *****. I know as an individual I dont tell people about any plans I have unless they need to know. Which sometimes means telling nobody at all. What benefit is it to anyone everyone knowing your business? None whatsoever.
Also heard Dunbar, Foley, Chin, Shane Reck, Jippo, Mac, Fanning and Jacko are all retiring, well some combination or another of 3 or 4 of these lads, different rumours from different people, who all swear they are right. Heard rumours about different lads leaving the panel on account of lack of gametime also.
If you were to believe all the #### other lads believe to be true then we will be fielding a pretty young team next year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16027 - 27/05/2025 10:30:14    2612964

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "I agree with you on Seán O'Brien, Darragh Ryan, and Rhys Wickham. Joey Tobin looks like a good prospect too. What are the chances of Sean O Brien training with the senior squad next year given hes overage for u17?"
Tobin is still minor again next year. Needs to work on his temper and footwork from what I've seen, but I like his edge, and he has a good hand.
The other 3 are all forwards, great after a few years of our best underage players being backs.
Codd, Denton, Browne, Kennedy Power, Reilly, Higgins, Keavey, Ennis, Peter Wickham, Ormonde, Doyle and O'Connell Byrne all played well for our u19s, either all through, or in some games. Really hope some of these lads can nail down places on their clubs top sides, and can shine for them too come championship. Would be great preparation for next years u20s.
I do think our u20s need more than 1 pitch session a week during school terms, sometimes they did no pitch training at all in a week as there might be a challenge game, and need to start back earlier in the year. You could see a massive improvement in Kilkennys u20 lads. They took it more seriously this year, made a decision at Board level, went to 2 pitch training sessions a week and started back earlier than before. They are now Leinster Champions, after getting knocked out by Laois 3 years ago at minor.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16027 - 27/05/2025 10:42:38    2612969

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Replying To gannett83:  "Well lads another year over which is a shame please god they wil bring back the Walsh cup next year but it's going to be a long 7-8 months for our next game.. just hope we don't loose anyone to retirements… hopefully now we can get a few from the club championships who wil commit next year mainly 2 players I would love to see back in Wexford colours are Jack Cullen of gorey and Oisín foley 2 big men and good hurlers.. surely there has to be better hurlers in Wexford than mikie Dwyer?? On the championship itself my top 3 and most consistent performers have been chin hearne and Kevin foley… anyone know what happened to Liam Ryan and wil he play the club championship this year really can't see him giving it another year for Wexford… as regards rossiter does he stay or does he go??? Also anyone else who people would want to see next year in Wexford colours??"
Cullen was on Wexford panels before and made no impression. What makes you think it would suddenly click for him? Very harsh on Mikie Dwyer too.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 422 - 27/05/2025 10:45:37    2612972

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Replying To hunting:  "Rory is going to Australia next year and won't be around. Heard it this morning. Massive massive blow."
This is known. He's going to visit family and the intention is to return next march.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3669 - 27/05/2025 10:51:06    2612974

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Replying To Viking66:  "Tobin is still minor again next year. Needs to work on his temper and footwork from what I've seen, but I like his edge, and he has a good hand.
The other 3 are all forwards, great after a few years of our best underage players being backs.
Codd, Denton, Browne, Kennedy Power, Reilly, Higgins, Keavey, Ennis, Peter Wickham, Ormonde, Doyle and O'Connell Byrne all played well for our u19s, either all through, or in some games. Really hope some of these lads can nail down places on their clubs top sides, and can shine for them too come championship. Would be great preparation for next years u20s.
I do think our u20s need more than 1 pitch session a week during school terms, sometimes they did no pitch training at all in a week as there might be a challenge game, and need to start back earlier in the year. You could see a massive improvement in Kilkennys u20 lads. They took it more seriously this year, made a decision at Board level, went to 2 pitch training sessions a week and started back earlier than before. They are now Leinster Champions, after getting knocked out by Laois 3 years ago at minor."
I agree with you the u20s have to have 2 pitch sessions a week if they are to compete next year

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 642 - 27/05/2025 10:51:19    2612975

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Replying To grassroots01:  "CBD very good but how many years we been saying "next year" about MD and a few other players involved with this group. Mikie is 29 nearly I think so doesn't have too many "next years". Him, Charlie and Darren Codd just aren't up to inter county hurling - good club hurlers but that's it. Rossie obviously see the lads in training but surely last Sunday was a day to start Tucker Kinsella and Jack Redmond etc to give them decent game time to see if they can make the step up. I also questioned Andy Kennedys inclusion in the panel at start of year... if Andy is a serious option for next year why not start him against Kilkenny."
He had to include Andy Kenny because he fell out with his other two options.

I don't think you can make a call on Codd. He hasn't been given a chance at all.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3669 - 27/05/2025 10:54:11    2612976

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Replying To grassroots01:  "CBD very good but how many years we been saying "next year" about MD and a few other players involved with this group. Mikie is 29 nearly I think so doesn't have too many "next years". Him, Charlie and Darren Codd just aren't up to inter county hurling - good club hurlers but that's it. Rossie obviously see the lads in training but surely last Sunday was a day to start Tucker Kinsella and Jack Redmond etc to give them decent game time to see if they can make the step up. I also questioned Andy Kennedys inclusion in the panel at start of year... if Andy is a serious option for next year why not start him against Kilkenny."
Kinsella has been given plenty of chances in the league but has never really impressed unfortunately. Redmond has a lot of improving to do too but this year on the panel should have brought him on a bit. Agreed on Kennedy, if he couldn't be trusted against KK the last day in a nothing game then you would wonder how much faith management have in him.

Sure management can and should do better. We can't afford daft team selections like not playing the two Cians v Galway, unable to move Foley in Dublin and our game plan with and without the ball is confused. But our main problem is our playing pool of county standard players is fairly shallow. That's not going to be addressed any time soon.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 422 - 27/05/2025 10:59:42    2612981

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Replying To hunting:  "Rory is going to Australia next year and won't be around. Heard it this morning. Massive massive blow."
I'll wait for an official statement regarding Rory.
Another poster said recently that he was going to Australia to visit family. So maybe he won't be gone for as long as some believe. A lot of rumours doing the rounds at the moment.
Anyway perhaps you were given the correct information hunting.
If he does go then I hope he enjoys the experience and comes back refreshed like Chinner did.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 501 - 27/05/2025 11:01:44    2612983

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@Viking66 - back to the bit about minors - No, the fact that minor matches are usually Wednesdays rather than Mondays doesn't mean that scheduling wouldn't be an issue after all. There are still the same issues with trying to play minor matches on any midweek evening from about middle of September onwards. Main one is how most clubs wouldn't be able to host a match at all, since they don't have floodlights. Another is how many of the "up to the age" minors will have just headed off for college.

As for Rory O'Connor - like yourself, I've heard all sorts of things. Depending on who you listen to, he's either heading off shortly for a few months and will be back for the knock-out stages of this year's club championship, or he's not going until later in the year and will be gone for all of next year as well. Hard to know the real story, and as somebody said, maybe he hasn't even made his own mind up yet.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2888 - 27/05/2025 11:15:45    2612985

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "He had to include Andy Kenny because he fell out with his other two options.

I don't think you can make a call on Codd. He hasn't been given a chance at all."
Surprised that conal clancy didn't get more game time this year. He was one of the best forwards I saw last year in the club championship.

HurlingBuzz (Wexford) - Posts: 554 - 27/05/2025 11:19:59    2612986

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Replying To Past hurler:  "I would still be in favour of Kilkenny v Wexford in the first round of the Leinster championship in 2026.

Mix things up a bit and both teams have everything to play for in round 1."
I would also. It's the most entertaining fixture in Leinster. It's like putting your best penalty shooter last in a penalty shoot out, there's a chance it could be the most important one or the game could be lost by then. Only one way to ensure both teams are in dead rubber situation, put it on first or second.

Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 332 - 27/05/2025 11:28:57    2612991

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