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Wexford Football 2025

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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Honest question: What are "supposed" to be the catchment areas for each GAA club in Wexford Town?" There isn't Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 20/08/2025 22:57:44 2632895 Link
Replying To Freethinker: "Not that it's very pertinent to your problems, but I have been following this thread with interest. We have had a similar experience at up to u20 level in both codes with varying results and opinions ie for and against. Personally, I am more in favour of clubs going it alone where possible. That way, weaker players improve as well, albeit at a lower grade. In West Wicklow there is a continual battle to keep clubs in existence with all sorts of solutions proposed including possibly clubs integrating. This can take time to bed in. Old "hatred's" die slowly. Given that turkeys rarely vote for Christmas, vested interests can sometimes play a part here. Again, apols for the intrusion." No problem adding your comments here as I am sure the issues we face are not unique to Wexford. Perhaps I am being unfair the CB on this and their lack of leadership as I have never seen the issue discussed at the national level either. Its like nobody wants to admit there is a problem, there is discussions on player dropout but not the consequences of it and how to deal with it then again its not always due to player dropout, it could be demographics and some parishes will never have teams at all age groups even if every kid in the parish played. But as I said amalgamate seems to be the only option which I believe makes matters worse for player retention. All of this is connected and should have a few sirens going off. Having no football team or a hurling team of consequences in New Ross The ratio of participation and success v population for teams in the four major towns in Wexford The number of teams that have to amalgamate at underage in both codes The near non existence of LGFA and Camogie in the towns. Some would say that the last point is not the CBs issue but its time to grow up and realise that it is. A big driver of participation in the GAA is parents, if the parents have played the game their kids will also be playing, by having no presence in these sports we are giving up on the future generations as well. zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2055 - 21/08/2025 08:59:41 2632906 Link
Strange thing is u can start playing for any club you wish no matter where u live that's my understanding if you can deal with commuting. U could live in fethard bannow ross and play for Castletown or ballinstraw gaels if its ur choice . And if u live in bannow u can transfer back there but u can't transfer to any other club unless u have an address in that parish. u can always go back to your first registered club too . In wex town you have to sit out a year of playing if you want to move to another town club . Thats a unique bye law in wexford . But if you play with town club and live in town but are in catchment/parish of another outside town club u can transfer at end of year without sitting a year out . But cant transfer to another town club as its not ur parish at any stage Eg Hurl with harriers kick with vols Want to leave vols but still hurl with harriers. You live in town but not inside parish of wexford so you can't stay in harriers and move for football to say in theory glynn unless u leave to play both codes it would be ok . But still can't join any other town club for football or hurling even if you sit year out . And still live in town Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 425 - 21/08/2025 10:08:58 2632919 Link
Replying To Formertownie: "Good question . Is there a map somewhere that you could actually see with all clubs catchment/parish area or is there an actual population number for each clubs catchment area . I know towns clubs eager to extend boundaries as lot of the estates on outskirts are in rural clubs catchment areas . I ve been told glynn barntown parish comes into wexford general hospital not sure how far accross town that applies to though . From hospital to almost bree with ferrycarrig bridge and slaney as a natural boundary on one side How far out taghmon road not sure accross forth mountain to new line road possibly . Thars some area and well populated. Suppose it goes out close to adamstown then as well." It a big area. It's 2 parishes. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 21/08/2025 10:31:21 2632921 Link
Replying To zinny: "No problem adding your comments here as I am sure the issues we face are not unique to Wexford. Perhaps I am being unfair the CB on this and their lack of leadership as I have never seen the issue discussed at the national level either. Its like nobody wants to admit there is a problem, there is discussions on player dropout but not the consequences of it and how to deal with it then again its not always due to player dropout, it could be demographics and some parishes will never have teams at all age groups even if every kid in the parish played. But as I said amalgamate seems to be the only option which I believe makes matters worse for player retention. All of this is connected and should have a few sirens going off. Having no football team or a hurling team of consequences in New Ross The ratio of participation and success v population for teams in the four major towns in Wexford The number of teams that have to amalgamate at underage in both codes The near non existence of LGFA and Camogie in the towns. Some would say that the last point is not the CBs issue but its time to grow up and realise that it is. A big driver of participation in the GAA is parents, if the parents have played the game their kids will also be playing, by having no presence in these sports we are giving up on the future generations as well." We have a specialist demographics officer who is very good. Participation has been pretty high on the county agenda for a good while now. The whole thrust of Children's officers and CNOs especially at younger age groups has been Participation. Most clubs have acadamies/nurseries etc for kids as young as 4 now, which didn't used to be the case. Fun days for the local communities also. What clubs and CB can't control is the attitude of National Schools Principals towards Participation, but from 1st hand experience having someone like Willie Cleary or Michael Martin makes an absolutely massive difference. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 21/08/2025 10:36:13 2632925 Link
Replying To Formertownie: "Strange thing is u can start playing for any club you wish no matter where u live that's my understanding if you can deal with commuting. U could live in fethard bannow ross and play for Castletown or ballinstraw gaels if its ur choice . And if u live in bannow u can transfer back there but u can't transfer to any other club unless u have an address in that parish. u can always go back to your first registered club too . In wex town you have to sit out a year of playing if you want to move to another town club . Thats a unique bye law in wexford . But if you play with town club and live in town but are in catchment/parish of another outside town club u can transfer at end of year without sitting a year out . But cant transfer to another town club as its not ur parish at any stage Eg Hurl with harriers kick with vols Want to leave vols but still hurl with harriers. You live in town but not inside parish of wexford so you can't stay in harriers and move for football to say in theory glynn unless u leave to play both codes it would be ok . But still can't join any other town club for football or hurling even if you sit year out . And still live in town" There's alot of inaccuracies there. If you want to transfer from a country club to another you have to sit out a year. You can't start off at any club you like, you have technically to live in the Parish afaik, although in towns you can choose, for example Tara Rocks and Gorey share the same catchment area. Although alot of children around the country play for the club their school is located in. Once you have played a competitive game underage for a club you have to apply for a transfer if you wish to play for another club. Also afaik town is different in that you don't have to sit out a year to transfer to another town club. All transfers have to be approved. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 21/08/2025 10:43:49 2632927 Link
Replying To Viking66: "There's alot of inaccuracies there. If you want to transfer from a country club to another you have to sit out a year. You can't start off at any club you like, you have technically to live in the Parish afaik, although in towns you can choose, for example Tara Rocks and Gorey share the same catchment area. Although alot of children around the country play for the club their school is located in. Once you have played a competitive game underage for a club you have to apply for a transfer if you wish to play for another club. Also afaik town is different in that you don't have to sit out a year to transfer to another town club. All transfers have to be approved." What ? If you live in a parish and play competively for that parish club u can't transfer unless you move to another parish and play with that club . No matter how long u sit out . But only at end of year . Only place u sit out a year is in wex town before you can move and only then if you live inside the parish boundry . U always have to submit transfer request before end January signed by both clubs and if present club object . And then co board approve or don't approve . You just answered the query re play with any club u like as first club by saying where they go to school .. In theory you can play with any club as first club who /would can object to it . I d say 10% of all players first club prob not in their parish in which they live Was just giving scenario re town clubs and the boundaries reduce the perceived playing pool . And how it could be used against them . Playing population in wex town def not as big as some imagine through boundary restrictions . Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 425 - 21/08/2025 11:08:10 2632933 Link
Replying To Viking66: "We have a specialist demographics officer who is very good. Participation has been pretty high on the county agenda for a good while now. The whole thrust of Children's officers and CNOs especially at younger age groups has been Participation. Most clubs have acadamies/nurseries etc for kids as young as 4 now, which didn't used to be the case. Fun days for the local communities also. What clubs and CB can't control is the attitude of National Schools Principals towards Participation, but from 1st hand experience having someone like Willie Cleary or Michael Martin makes an absolutely massive difference." Agree on the schools principals - they drive the agenda in school and defo push participation. However am I correct in saying that the principal in Kilmore, St Johns Vols is his club but his kids play for Glynn Barntown. That in my opinions is a classic example of where the issues lie with town and parish boundaries. MyOhMi (Wexford) - Posts: 216 - 21/08/2025 11:21:26 2632935 Link
Replying To Formertownie: "What ? If you live in a parish and play competively for that parish club u can't transfer unless you move to another parish and play with that club . No matter how long u sit out . But only at end of year . Only place u sit out a year is in wex town before you can move and only then if you live inside the parish boundry . U always have to submit transfer request before end January signed by both clubs and if present club object . And then co board approve or don't approve . You just answered the query re play with any club u like as first club by saying where they go to school .. In theory you can play with any club as first club who /would can object to it . I d say 10% of all players first club prob not in their parish in which they live Was just giving scenario re town clubs and the boundaries reduce the perceived playing pool . And how it could be used against them . Playing population in wex town def not as big as some imagine through boundary restrictions ." Didn't realise you can play for any parish starting out lad. Agree 100% about that the playing populations in town are not as big as imagined. Would also apply to New Ross and Enniscorthy. Not only because of boundaries, but also because of age of population, and competition from other sports. Sorry for my not being more precise, but the rule for transfers is that if you play championship for a club, you can't then transfer to another club and play championship that year. Effectively you have to sit out the rest of that year. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 21/08/2025 11:36:06 2632939 Link
Replying To Viking66: "Didn't realise you can play for any parish starting out lad. Agree 100% about that the playing populations in town are not as big as imagined. Would also apply to New Ross and Enniscorthy. Not only because of boundaries, but also because of age of population, and competition from other sports. Sorry for my not being more precise, but the rule for transfers is that if you play championship for a club, you can't then transfer to another club and play championship that year. Effectively you have to sit out the rest of that year." No bother just can be confusing even trying to write it correctly to explain . Ethos of gaa is local/club local parish but in reality is people go wherever they want most of time thsts local club . Unless there are underlying reasons or just perception of somewhere better to go . Yes all towns are affected by expansion past its parish boundaries plus aging population , smaller families etc etc You can finish out the full year ie finish October in any club and if moving to new parish and club can request transfer. But u have to sit out another full calender year in wexford town without playing to move club if thst clears it up . . Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 425 - 21/08/2025 12:13:20 2632948 Link
Replying To Viking66: "Didn't realise you can play for any parish starting out lad. Agree 100% about that the playing populations in town are not as big as imagined. Would also apply to New Ross and Enniscorthy. Not only because of boundaries, but also because of age of population, and competition from other sports. Sorry for my not being more precise, but the rule for transfers is that if you play championship for a club, you can't then transfer to another club and play championship that year. Effectively you have to sit out the rest of that year." No bother just can be confusing even trying to write it correctly to explain . Ethos of gaa is local/club local parish but in reality is people go wherever they want most of time thsts local club . Unless there are underlying reasons or just perception of somewhere better to go . Yes all towns are affected by expansion past its parish boundaries plus aging population , smaller families etc etc You can finish out the full year ie finish October in any club and if moving to new parish and club can request transfer. But u have to sit out another full calender year in wexford town without playing to move club if thst clears it up . . Transfers are different than first club preferencec co board can and do enforce parish rules. Only exception to one year rule in wexford town is you can go back to your first club without sitting out thst year . But only at end of current season Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 425 - 21/08/2025 12:16:22 2632949 Link
Replying To MyOhMi: "Agree on the schools principals - they drive the agenda in school and defo push participation. However am I correct in saying that the principal in Kilmore, St Johns Vols is his club but his kids play for Glynn Barntown. That in my opinions is a classic example of where the issues lie with town and parish boundaries." Ya true, but they live in Barntown parish, Lockerroomboy (Wexford) - Posts: 493 - 21/08/2025 12:18:25 2632951 Link
Replying To MyOhMi: "Agree on the schools principals - they drive the agenda in school and defo push participation. However am I correct in saying that the principal in Kilmore, St Johns Vols is his club but his kids play for Glynn Barntown. That in my opinions is a classic example of where the issues lie with town and parish boundaries." He lives in Glynn-Barntown. He doesn't live in his parents house. He's still involved with Vols afaik. I know of a Vols referee who lives in Glynn-Barntown and his son plays for Glynn-Barntown also. As I said in a previous post one of the issues facing town clubs is that there are way less children living in the middle of towns than used to be the case. New Ross also suffers this way. Suburban clubs are definitely benefitting. It affects country clubs too. There are 2 young lads living in the houses facing our grounds playing for Glynn-Barntown. Another is/was living a few hundred yards up the road from our grounds since he was born and plays for St. Martins. A current intercounty player is from our parish but always played for St Martins also. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 21/08/2025 12:23:36 2632956 Link
Logged in to check on the latest football and then read with interest about the problems in urban areas. I had thought that some plan was launched on this previously by an ex president and found this bulletin https://wexfordgaa.ie/wexford-gaa-bulletin-7/ Apart from Kilkenny city has any town in Ireland successfully got participation to a high level? Where I live in Dublin has no serious GAA underage scene. wexfordwin (Wexford) - Posts: 192 - 21/08/2025 12:43:50 2632962 Link
Replying To Lockerroomboy: "Ya true, but they live in Barntown parish," Is it the glynn barntiwn part of town one of the estates I ve no idea where he lives or care but if is the case you would have thiught logistically it was closer to local club . . Everyone has that choice of club they prefer. Was choice to do with a hurling issue . Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 425 - 21/08/2025 12:56:04 2632966 Link
Replying To Viking66: "We have a specialist demographics officer who is very good. Participation has been pretty high on the county agenda for a good while now. The whole thrust of Children's officers and CNOs especially at younger age groups has been Participation. Most clubs have acadamies/nurseries etc for kids as young as 4 now, which didn't used to be the case. Fun days for the local communities also. What clubs and CB can't control is the attitude of National Schools Principals towards Participation, but from 1st hand experience having someone like Willie Cleary or Michael Martin makes an absolutely massive difference." If they are then where is the data to show that what is being done is effective? Having the data and metrics is key, if they don't have it go out and get it - ever school in the county, crossed with every club - where the black spots are, where its working and why? saying that some lad is good is all very well but how do you judge if they are effective or not. Am I missing some reports that the CB produces on all this? zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2055 - 21/08/2025 13:34:44 2632979 Link
Replying To zinny: "If they are then where is the data to show that what is being done is effective? Having the data and metrics is key, if they don't have it go out and get it - ever school in the county, crossed with every club - where the black spots are, where its working and why? saying that some lad is good is all very well but how do you judge if they are effective or not. Am I missing some reports that the CB produces on all this?" He reports to CB. The data is there. Ross District clubs in particular are suffering more than the other Districts in terms of depopulation in general. Having that data is useful, but all it means is that down the line there will be a need for more amalgamations. It won't make parents in Gorey choose to send their children to Tara Rocks instead of Naomh Eanna, or parents anywhere else send their children to any particular GAA club. Someone else mentioned knocking doors, there's alot of merit in that idea. But in general the best way to get children from non GAA families to participate is through the schools I think. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 21/08/2025 14:40:23 2632997 Link
Replying To zinny: "If they are then where is the data to show that what is being done is effective? Having the data and metrics is key, if they don't have it go out and get it - ever school in the county, crossed with every club - where the black spots are, where its working and why? saying that some lad is good is all very well but how do you judge if they are effective or not. Am I missing some reports that the CB produces on all this?" Yes there are demographic reports produced - the last one was prob 2/3 years ago but from what I can gather little is done. Like schools have a Home Liaison Officer, maybe we need a GAA Liaison Officer to go around and chat with the parents in urban areas .. try get them into the clubs or at least gauge their interest. GAA Clubs can be very parochial and not welcoming to outsiders. Soccer is always the first draw. MyOhMi (Wexford) - Posts: 216 - 21/08/2025 14:49:03 2632999 Link
Replying To Formertownie: "Is it the glynn barntiwn part of town one of the estates I ve no idea where he lives or care but if is the case you would have thiught logistically it was closer to local club . . Everyone has that choice of club they prefer. Was choice to do with a hurling issue ." Not sure exactly where he lives but definitely Barntown parish Lockerroomboy (Wexford) - Posts: 493 - 21/08/2025 16:04:39 2633014 Link
Replying To MyOhMi: "Yes there are demographic reports produced - the last one was prob 2/3 years ago but from what I can gather little is done. Like schools have a Home Liaison Officer, maybe we need a GAA Liaison Officer to go around and chat with the parents in urban areas .. try get them into the clubs or at least gauge their interest. GAA Clubs can be very parochial and not welcoming to outsiders. Soccer is always the first draw." Alot to be said for knocking doors...... Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16932 - 21/08/2025 16:28:12 2633027 Link