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Replying To OpenStandWall: "It's not even that, and understand that both finals were lost by virtually a puck of a ball.
Agreed on your last paragraph. Granted how good Limerick and Clare were - Maybe the AI losses showed the true level of that panel in 14 and 15 Leinster and in particular KK were fairly average during that time at u21.
Probably worded what I was trying to say wrong - Question is was the panel then when he took over in Oct 2016 better than what it would be if he took over now? And bear in mind that season and the year before were pretty poor." Yeah, I think we were closer to winning an U20 AI in 2022 than we were to winning an AI U21 in either 2014 or 2015 IMO, 2014 Clare and 2015 Limerick were probably a good bit better than 2022 Limerick and 2022 Kilkenny however
It's hard to know about the panel because in hindsight, the panel he took over now looks very good, there certainly was a lot of optimism in 2017 and I think we felt (Or at least I did anyway) that we were not getting the best out of our players in 2015 or 2016, I don't think we got the best out of them in 2026 either but I think this year is different because I just think the age profile of our squad is all wrong
At the moment, we've too many players who have been great servants for Wexford but probably aren't quite the same hurlers they were once before, then we've too many young players who might have potential but are really too young and inexperienced (And in some cases lacking the necessary S&C) to properly compete at this level, and then we finally have too few good players who are in the middle of their prime right now
Now S&C can improve year on year and the Minors and U20s looked much better on that front but even with some of the 21-24yos we have right now, as much as I think they have potential, even if they fill out, they still won't be very tall which will always be a concern for us, there's no getting around it
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1343 - 26/05/2026 21:16:28
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Replying To Bryson: "Wexford have won 1 Senior All Ireland since 1968. It will be 31 years next year since we reached a Final. Not 100percent sure on next stat but i think only 6 Semi Final appearances since in 31 years. 96/ 97 / 01/ 03/ 04/19. If im wrong correct me. Last won National hurling league in 1973 so 54 years next year. Only 4 Leinster titles in 31 years 96 /97 / 04/ 19/ since 1977. No minor all ireland since 1968 no final appearance since 1985 and only 1 leinster title in 42 years. No U20/21 All Ireland since 1965 and only 4 leinster titles since year 2000. Peters havent won an All Ireland since early 80s. Thats Wexford hurling and its not pretty reading when u look at the facts so where we currently are is no surprise and nothing being done to address this but nothing has been done for 50 years so maybe what is currently happening is a good think as its so close now to rock bottom that surely something will happen. Sick of the false positive stuff its getting us no where" There's no false positive stuff. Ive posted those stats many times before. We were even worse before 1951. We had a little under 2 decades, mid 50s to late 60s, at the top table in all grades since 1885. Thats all.
You did miss another AISF but that would be splitting hairs. We have reached 3 u20/1 AI finals this millennium. We have won 5 Leinster u21s in that time, and reached a good few other finals. Also not particularly great.
What we need to do to get back there is what we need ideas for. The only time it happened in our history a golden generation of hurlers gradually came together from the mid 40s onwards, and peaked in the mid 50s. Critically they suffered nearly no injuries. This drove interest in hurling in the county to astronomical levels, and created the boom years in the 60s. Corks super team, which we lost numerous u21 finals to in the mid/late 60s, killed off all that momentum at Senior over the course of the 70s.
Now how do we get that back?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19872 - 26/05/2026 22:08:03
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Replying To Pikeman96: "This is the one where I also stand to be corrected, because again, I don't all the ins and outs of the COE. But to the best of my knowledge -
There were plans drawn up and they were more or less all set to go before the adjoining land came up for sale last year. They bought somewhere around 10 acres of it and then went back to the drawing board to make best use of what would be the new space.
But there's some sort of legal or probate issue holding up the transfer of ownership of the land from the vendors, and so any development at the COE is on hold until that's sorted out.
The deal is not in doubt, or anything. Just delayed." Probate
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19872 - 26/05/2026 22:11:22
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Replying To Doylerwex: "You missed semi final in 07 but correct other than that
I think you're missing a Leinster 21 since 2001 as well but none of this damages the point you're making.
We could do more, but it's not correct to say nothing is being done.
I think there's a misunderstanding between being positive to fuel improvement or being positive and taking that as acceptable. They're not the same thing." Absolutely they are not the same thing. If we start off with the thought we are doomed, then people will give up trying. Coaches, administrators, parents, supporters, and most importantly the players.
Michael Duignan had very little to do with how good that young Offaly team was/is. Mostly down to Keith Screeney I was told by a good hurling man who met him. But Duignan created a positive environment around the county to help them drive on.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19872 - 26/05/2026 22:16:14
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Tbh, I think that if we're using benchmarks, we're first of all not getting to nearly enough Leinster Minor Finals when secondly, when we are getting to those Finals, we're not winning nearly enough of them
Things have changed with Galway coming into Leinster but I was just having a look back through AI Minor Finals and Galway won 5 out of 6 AI Minor Finals between 2015 and 2020. What have they to show for it at U20/U21 level? Nothing. What have they to show for it at Senior level? Nothing. This isn't me being anti-Galway tbh, some of their recent underage teams have been very good and they may have been advantaged by being parachuted into the Minor AIQFs back in the day. But winning AIs at Minor level is not the be all and end all especially since they went back to U17
Using Limerick at the benchmark given what they have won at Senior level, they were in one AI Minor Final in recent memory when they lost by 4 to KK in 2014. However, they did win the Munster Minor Finals in both 2013, they beat the eventual AI winners Waterford in 2013 in the Munster Final, Limerick lost narrowly to Galway in the AISF because of a Hawkeye malfunction
So AI Minor wins aren't the be all and end all but you need to be competing for provincial titles at the very least and to be in the Top 3/4 in the country at Minor level IMO
U20/U21 is a lot more predictive; Limerick won two AIs at U21 level in 2015 and 2017 and they've backboned their Senior side, have to remember that they were coming into a decent enough situation as Limerick won Munster U21 in 2011, they won Munster Senior in 2013, they ran KK to two points in the 2014 AISF in a monsoon, and they lost by 2 to Tipp in the Munster SF in 2016
Long story short, we need to be competing for Leinster honours at Minor and for AI honours at U20 level if we want to win All-Irelands at Senior level
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1343 - 26/05/2026 22:56:50
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Replying To Afinestick96: "I agree with you it could have really changed things as regards confidence and positivity in the county if we had got over the line in those u20 finals of 22 and 23 . We really left them behind us. Its been the story of Wexford hurling the last number of years left so many games behind us" Very disappointing not to get over the line v Offaly that day with a man extra. Lack of composure on the pitch and sideline a familiar tale. Cork would have given us a hiding in any case in the final, the pick of our team + Offaly wouldn't have beaten them. There are talented players in that group but they need to become leaders at senior level and quickly.
Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 585 - 27/05/2026 00:40:44
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Yeah, I think we were closer to winning an U20 AI in 2022 than we were to winning an AI U21 in either 2014 or 2015 IMO, 2014 Clare and 2015 Limerick were probably a good bit better than 2022 Limerick and 2022 Kilkenny however
It's hard to know about the panel because in hindsight, the panel he took over now looks very good, there certainly was a lot of optimism in 2017 and I think we felt (Or at least I did anyway) that we were not getting the best out of our players in 2015 or 2016, I don't think we got the best out of them in 2026 either but I think this year is different because I just think the age profile of our squad is all wrong
At the moment, we've too many players who have been great servants for Wexford but probably aren't quite the same hurlers they were once before, then we've too many young players who might have potential but are really too young and inexperienced (And in some cases lacking the necessary S&C) to properly compete at this level, and then we finally have too few good players who are in the middle of their prime right now
Now S&C can improve year on year and the Minors and U20s looked much better on that front but even with some of the 21-24yos we have right now, as much as I think they have potential, even if they fill out, they still won't be very tall which will always be a concern for us, there's no getting around it" The 1st job for whoever is our manager next year is will be to try get some of the good lads who are 25-29 and arent committing back onto the panel.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19872 - 27/05/2026 10:02:35
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Replying To Timbertony: "Very disappointing not to get over the line v Offaly that day with a man extra. Lack of composure on the pitch and sideline a familiar tale. Cork would have given us a hiding in any case in the final, the pick of our team + Offaly wouldn't have beaten them. There are talented players in that group but they need to become leaders at senior level and quickly." I think we wouldve done better against Cork than Offaly did in that final. We were physically much stronger than Offaly that year. Offaly had a load of u18s and u19s that year, and they largely werent even big for their age. Cork just bullied them out of it.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19872 - 27/05/2026 10:06:48
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Replying To Bryson: "Wexford have won 1 Senior All Ireland since 1968. It will be 31 years next year since we reached a Final. Not 100percent sure on next stat but i think only 6 Semi Final appearances since in 31 years. 96/ 97 / 01/ 03/ 04/19. If im wrong correct me. Last won National hurling league in 1973 so 54 years next year. Only 4 Leinster titles in 31 years 96 /97 / 04/ 19/ since 1977. No minor all ireland since 1968 no final appearance since 1985 and only 1 leinster title in 42 years. No U20/21 All Ireland since 1965 and only 4 leinster titles since year 2000. Peters havent won an All Ireland since early 80s. Thats Wexford hurling and its not pretty reading when u look at the facts so where we currently are is no surprise and nothing being done to address this but nothing has been done for 50 years so maybe what is currently happening is a good think as its so close now to rock bottom that surely something will happen. Sick of the false positive stuff its getting us no where" I asked you before and I'll ask you again.
What are you doing to help? Are you coaching? Have you done the coaching courses or what are you offering to help?
I don't always agree with some of the posters on here but you can see the posts from those at the coal face who know in-depth where they see the weaknesses. They might be right, they might not be, but they can tell specific problems as they see them just like my father can.
What are you doing? The above are just high-level problems. What are your solutions?
StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 2080 - 27/05/2026 10:44:42
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Replying To Viking66: "Absolutely they are not the same thing. If we start off with the thought we are doomed, then people will give up trying. Coaches, administrators, parents, supporters, and most importantly the players.
Michael Duignan had very little to do with how good that young Offaly team was/is. Mostly down to Keith Screeney I was told by a good hurling man who met him. But Duignan created a positive environment around the county to help them drive on." Duignan and his board are instrumental in offaly revival in hurling and their u20 success in football.
They brought in the sponsors/donors that fund everything they do. Facility wise they have the faithful fields, Birr and O Connor Park but most , if not all, the counties they compete with have similar. Ive been in Wexfords version of FF and its a fine facility as is Wexford Park. Its the investment in HR for their teams and players that has really made the difference. Kids are committing to the academy because they are really well looked after and to the Seniors, hurling in particular, because they are treated even better. Duignan had a huge part to play in all of that. He picked the people who spearhead it and the people that support them)( coaching tickets aside). They should be a benchmark for wexford from their schools to academy to adult teams, their support systems etc. Playing for Offaly is the hottest thing to do again and every young lad good enough wants to commit.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 494 - 27/05/2026 10:50:12
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Replying To Viking66: "I think we wouldve done better against Cork than Offaly did in that final. We were physically much stronger than Offaly that year. Offaly had a load of u18s and u19s that year, and they largely werent even big for their age. Cork just bullied them out of it." We'd beaten that cork team already that year. Granted it was a challenge game.
I also felt we didn't leverage our strength against Offaly at all.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4544 - 27/05/2026 11:25:42
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Replying To Viking66: "The 1st job for whoever is our manager next year is will be to try get some of the good lads who are 25-29 and arent committing back onto the panel." That's second.
The first is to convince chinner to stay.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4544 - 27/05/2026 11:26:22
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Replying To Timbertony: "Very disappointing not to get over the line v Offaly that day with a man extra. Lack of composure on the pitch and sideline a familiar tale. Cork would have given us a hiding in any case in the final, the pick of our team + Offaly wouldn't have beaten them. There are talented players in that group but they need to become leaders at senior level and quickly." We'd already beaten that cork team that year. Granted it was a challenge game
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4544 - 27/05/2026 11:27:21
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Looking ahead to next year I am airing on the side of positivity. With a new management team in place and hopefully more players committing I believe we can push for promotion in the league and then aim for top 3. If you look at the players we have been missing we need to aim to get at least half of the followng involved - Aaron Duggan, James Lawlor, Aj Redmond, Joe Barrett, Eoin Ryan , Charlie McGuckin, Paudie & Oisin Foley ( Unlikely but worth a try ) , Cathal Dunbar, Rory O Connor ( Not sure what his plans are if he is staying in Oz) , Barry O Connor ( His size alone would be a huge asset) , Conor Mac, Mikie Dwyer. Along with some of the u20s this year I think Sean O Brien and Colin Carley are good enough to compete to start. Cork and Galway are not afraid to through u20s in and neither should we be. Both could be brilliant senior players for us I think in the coming years. Lads like Paddy Quigley, Niall Furlong , Charlie Roark, Charlie Mooney, Ronan Shannon , Doran Daly O Toole & Jack Nolan all have great potential too and should be given chances in the Walsh cup/ league. Hopefully one or two more lads impress during the club championship . It can be done as Eamon Wickham showed he was outstanding for Rathnure and was called in on the back of that. If you look at all these players listed along with the current squad there is still good hurlers in the county. We need to get a good management in place and get lads wanting to hurl for Wexford again. I fully believe we are not as bad as we have shown this year
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1097 - 27/05/2026 11:39:21
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Solutions:
We still have very good hurlers who played well this year. Eg Conor Hearne
First thing I would do is get a new manager. No offence to KR but it will be diffficult for lads to buy in after 3 years and 4 championship defeats this summer.
I would go for Declan Ruth
I would pursue and demand a two year commitment from those on the brink of retirement and try bring the prodigal sons into the fold and fully make a two year commitment:
Liam Ryan
Chin
2 Recks
Simon Donohue
Paudie Foley
Oisin Foley
Barry O Connor
Rory O Connor
Eoin Ryan
Joe Barrett
AJ Redmond
Cian Molloy
Jack Cullen
I would promote the 5 best of the U20s such as O Brien and Charlie Roark to freshen things up.
Then I would work like dogs to restore pride in the jersey and get back on top in Leinster which is very achievable
Yellow (Wexford) - Posts: 592 - 27/05/2026 12:30:00
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Replying To Tadhg2020: "Duignan and his board are instrumental in offaly revival in hurling and their u20 success in football.
They brought in the sponsors/donors that fund everything they do. Facility wise they have the faithful fields, Birr and O Connor Park but most , if not all, the counties they compete with have similar. Ive been in Wexfords version of FF and its a fine facility as is Wexford Park. Its the investment in HR for their teams and players that has really made the difference. Kids are committing to the academy because they are really well looked after and to the Seniors, hurling in particular, because they are treated even better. Duignan had a huge part to play in all of that. He picked the people who spearhead it and the people that support them)( coaching tickets aside). They should be a benchmark for wexford from their schools to academy to adult teams, their support systems etc. Playing for Offaly is the hottest thing to do again and every young lad good enough wants to commit." Outside of one exceptional underage team, Offaly's underage results in hurling aren't great though
Might change going forward alright
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1343 - 27/05/2026 12:52:55
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Was reading Shane McGrath's latest piece and it made me thinks about what we don't do out on the hurling pitch compared to other counties
If you want to play good ball into the full-forward line, you're going to have to be launching the ball in from just beyond your own 45? Did we have a plan to work the ball there and then launch? Wouldn't say we did and if we did, it either wasn't very clear or wasn't executed well
When we play ball in, is it good ball? Drill a ball in high and it can be a bit stingy to catch, play it in low and they have to be able to get out in front, control, and then withstand contact when trying to control, that's not easy, could do what Seán O'Brien does and that's go low with the hand which is very hard to do but means the defender can't knock the ball away from you if it's in your hand (And if you miss the ball, the back misses it too)
McGrath was making the point (Correctly) that the best ball in is one the bounces once into the forward's hand, not as stingy as a drilled high ball, harder for a back to defend than one hit in low on the ground
Also, do we the ball down the lines or do we play it
In diagonally? Play it in down the line and the forward receives the ball with his back to goal. Play it in diagonally and the forward can receive the ball on the half-turn, would also be running towards goal the whole time rather than running away from it like he would be with a ball down the line, much harder to defend diagonal ball for a back
Do we work on movement? Straight runs? Go left on a dummy run and then break right? Go right, go left, and then go right again? Arced runs? Have to vary your runs so the defender doesn't cop onto it
I think we probably failed on all those counts this year tbh
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1343 - 27/05/2026 13:05:32
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Replying To Yellow: "Solutions:
We still have very good hurlers who played well this year. Eg Conor Hearne
First thing I would do is get a new manager. No offence to KR but it will be diffficult for lads to buy in after 3 years and 4 championship defeats this summer.
I would go for Declan Ruth
I would pursue and demand a two year commitment from those on the brink of retirement and try bring the prodigal sons into the fold and fully make a two year commitment:
Liam Ryan
Chin
2 Recks
Simon Donohue
Paudie Foley
Oisin Foley
Barry O Connor
Rory O Connor
Eoin Ryan
Joe Barrett
AJ Redmond
Cian Molloy
Jack Cullen
I would promote the 5 best of the U20s such as O Brien and Charlie Roark to freshen things up.
Then I would work like dogs to restore pride in the jersey and get back on top in Leinster which is very achievable" How can anyone demand that anybody has to commit to two years to an amatuer sport they volunteer to play for enjoyment?
btwex90 (Wexford) - Posts: 52 - 27/05/2026 13:35:12
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Replying To Yellow: "Solutions:
We still have very good hurlers who played well this year. Eg Conor Hearne
First thing I would do is get a new manager. No offence to KR but it will be diffficult for lads to buy in after 3 years and 4 championship defeats this summer.
I would go for Declan Ruth
I would pursue and demand a two year commitment from those on the brink of retirement and try bring the prodigal sons into the fold and fully make a two year commitment:
Liam Ryan
Chin
2 Recks
Simon Donohue
Paudie Foley
Oisin Foley
Barry O Connor
Rory O Connor
Eoin Ryan
Joe Barrett
AJ Redmond
Cian Molloy
Jack Cullen
I would promote the 5 best of the U20s such as O Brien and Charlie Roark to freshen things up.
Then I would work like dogs to restore pride in the jersey and get back on top in Leinster which is very achievable" Demand a 2 year commitment? Can't get them to sign contracts! Some of those mentioned have never committed as far as I'm aware. The fear is a couple more from the top group step away.
Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 585 - 27/05/2026 13:42:58
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Replying To Doylerwex: "That's second.
The first is to convince chinner to stay." Yes hopefully Chinner gives it a lash for at least another year. He's still vital to this team and his presence helps enormously in the development of our younger players. He may be getting on a bit but he still has the energy and skill.
Without him we will be somewhat rudderless and lacking in leadership.
As things stand we don't have anyone to fill his boots but perhaps by the time he decides to retire some of the new crop of players will have developed sufficiently and become leaders.
That however remains to be seen.
Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 702 - 27/05/2026 13:57:21
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