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Replying To Afinestick96: "Article from tomorrows Wexford people confirmed Mac is not available for the forseeable. The Recks and Conor Hearne are back training hopefully in contention for Saturday not sure how fit they are. Cian Molloy is slowly coming back to having suffered bad concussion in last years club championship" Not unexpected Mac is stepping away. Lots of injuries in recent seasons.
Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 491 - 20/01/2026 18:34:56
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Replying To StoreysTash: "Yes but the point is that we need an All-Ireland win at underage, minor or u20, to really jump-start things. People who say "you don't need to win at underage" don't realise that you play the same players, year in year out, be that club or county. We had a great rivalry with one club we beat in a minor county final and for years we talked "we beat these before, they aren't as good as they think" and had the upper hand for a few years until some more young players came along.
Nobody is saying we have a right to be beating teams like Laois, Kildare and Offaly but the fact is if a Munster county came up against them they would say "who, Laois?"
I can't stand the "we won the shield so came 5th" mindset in Wexford. We need to stop settling for 2nd best. We need to stop talk ourselves down, we have an inferiority complex which means we don't believe in ourselves.
Am in Asia at the moment and met 2 friends from college. One is a teacher in a prominent hurling county starting his travels. He said to me that in his school, he has the 2nd class out hurling every day TWICE. Even those with no interest go out and bang a ball for 10 minutes. Those with big interest play during breaks as well. I would say this happens in no school in Wexford, even schools with hurlers and ex-hurlers as teachers. He did say he has a principal who is interested in hurling.
Its just culture, isn't it. We just do not have it." I don't think anyone is celebrating coming 5th in an underage competition, the point is that while we're not fantastic, the sky is hardly falling in either
And similarly, everyone knows we don't have the same culture as Kilkenny/Tipperary/Cork, the question is how do we address that
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 797 - 20/01/2026 18:46:08
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Am guessing the team on Saturday will look a lot like the side that lined out against Dublin in the Walsh Cup, don't know whether Jack Redmond is injured, the game probably comes too soon for Cian Byrne (Although he could probably come off the bench), and we should have Simon Roche available for this one
So thinking....
Mark Fanning
Niall Murphy
Conor Foley
Darragh Carley
Eoin Whelan
Richie Lawlor
Éamon Wickham
Corey Byrne-Dunbar
Seán Rowley
Ross Banville
Kevin Foley
Mike Kelly
Simon Roche
Tucker Kinsella
Ciarán Regan
Think the forwards are a bit lightweight and this team is very vulnerable given the lack of experience. On the flip side, Antrim look like they've a good few lads who dropped off the panel (Looks like they didn't have much time for Davy), think they only had three lads starting against Kildare in the Walsh Cup who started against us last year (Although three starters from last year did come on, one of whom was James McNaughton). Keelan Molloy was a very good player for them but he looks to be gone and Eoghan Campbell looks to be gone too
They've a woeful record outside of Antrim as well, certainly don't expect it to be a great match (And will likely be a very small crowd), get the win and blood in the young players and I'll be happy, not really too fussed on the performance
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 797 - 20/01/2026 18:53:11
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Replying To StoreysTash: "Yes but the point is that we need an All-Ireland win at underage, minor or u20, to really jump-start things. People who say "you don't need to win at underage" don't realise that you play the same players, year in year out, be that club or county. We had a great rivalry with one club we beat in a minor county final and for years we talked "we beat these before, they aren't as good as they think" and had the upper hand for a few years until some more young players came along.
Nobody is saying we have a right to be beating teams like Laois, Kildare and Offaly but the fact is if a Munster county came up against them they would say "who, Laois?"
I can't stand the "we won the shield so came 5th" mindset in Wexford. We need to stop settling for 2nd best. We need to stop talk ourselves down, we have an inferiority complex which means we don't believe in ourselves.
Am in Asia at the moment and met 2 friends from college. One is a teacher in a prominent hurling county starting his travels. He said to me that in his school, he has the 2nd class out hurling every day TWICE. Even those with no interest go out and bang a ball for 10 minutes. Those with big interest play during breaks as well. I would say this happens in no school in Wexford, even schools with hurlers and ex-hurlers as teachers. He did say he has a principal who is interested in hurling.
Its just culture, isn't it. We just do not have it." Now you are getting it. We don't have that culture. We don't have the numbers of hurling people that successful counties have. Players, teachers, parents, coaches etc. That's because outside of 2 successful decades, over the course of the history of hurling we only have 1 more AI than Laois and Kerry.
Now the bit you don't seem to be getting. Bearing in mind the above, any year we are competitive at all the age groups with the top counties, the counties with all the things in the first paragraph of this post that we don't have as many of, thats not too bad. That's not accepting mediocrity. Its stating a fact. Mediocrity is not being competitive at all.
And we were better than many of the top counties last year at various different underage groups. Also our u14s, u15s, u16s, minors and u20s all beat their Dublin counterparts last year. That's the 1st time thats happened this millennium.
That's improvement. Its not the finished product by any means, but its a step forwards. And that statement is also not accepting mediocrity, its being realistic about where we are at.
Just out of interest, while we are on the subject of culture, and this is something a friend from Cork asked me a long time ago, how many conversations about hurling do you have in the course of an average day? 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 20/01/2026 19:51:25
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Am guessing the team on Saturday will look a lot like the side that lined out against Dublin in the Walsh Cup, don't know whether Jack Redmond is injured, the game probably comes too soon for Cian Byrne (Although he could probably come off the bench), and we should have Simon Roche available for this one
So thinking....
Mark Fanning
Niall Murphy
Conor Foley
Darragh Carley
Eoin Whelan
Richie Lawlor
Éamon Wickham
Corey Byrne-Dunbar
Seán Rowley
Ross Banville
Kevin Foley
Mike Kelly
Simon Roche
Tucker Kinsella
Ciarán Regan
Think the forwards are a bit lightweight and this team is very vulnerable given the lack of experience. On the flip side, Antrim look like they've a good few lads who dropped off the panel (Looks like they didn't have much time for Davy), think they only had three lads starting against Kildare in the Walsh Cup who started against us last year (Although three starters from last year did come on, one of whom was James McNaughton). Keelan Molloy was a very good player for them but he looks to be gone and Eoghan Campbell looks to be gone too
They've a woeful record outside of Antrim as well, certainly don't expect it to be a great match (And will likely be a very small crowd), get the win and blood in the young players and I'll be happy, not really too fussed on the performance" Byrne and Redmond played a half each of the challenge game against Kilkenny, so I imagine both should be available.
Thats a very young team you have there, and the 2 lads if available won't make it any older!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 20/01/2026 22:45:22
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Am guessing the team on Saturday will look a lot like the side that lined out against Dublin in the Walsh Cup, don't know whether Jack Redmond is injured, the game probably comes too soon for Cian Byrne (Although he could probably come off the bench), and we should have Simon Roche available for this one
So thinking....
Mark Fanning
Niall Murphy
Conor Foley
Darragh Carley
Eoin Whelan
Richie Lawlor
Éamon Wickham
Corey Byrne-Dunbar
Seán Rowley
Ross Banville
Kevin Foley
Mike Kelly
Simon Roche
Tucker Kinsella
Ciarán Regan
Think the forwards are a bit lightweight and this team is very vulnerable given the lack of experience. On the flip side, Antrim look like they've a good few lads who dropped off the panel (Looks like they didn't have much time for Davy), think they only had three lads starting against Kildare in the Walsh Cup who started against us last year (Although three starters from last year did come on, one of whom was James McNaughton). Keelan Molloy was a very good player for them but he looks to be gone and Eoghan Campbell looks to be gone too
They've a woeful record outside of Antrim as well, certainly don't expect it to be a great match (And will likely be a very small crowd), get the win and blood in the young players and I'll be happy, not really too fussed on the performance" Byrne and Redmond played a half each of the challenge game against Kilkenny, so I imagine both should be available.
Thats a very young team you have there, and the 2 lads if available won't make it any older! They will make it stronger though.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 20/01/2026 22:45:57
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Am guessing the team on Saturday will look a lot like the side that lined out against Dublin in the Walsh Cup, don't know whether Jack Redmond is injured, the game probably comes too soon for Cian Byrne (Although he could probably come off the bench), and we should have Simon Roche available for this one
So thinking....
Mark Fanning
Niall Murphy
Conor Foley
Darragh Carley
Eoin Whelan
Richie Lawlor
Éamon Wickham
Corey Byrne-Dunbar
Seán Rowley
Ross Banville
Kevin Foley
Mike Kelly
Simon Roche
Tucker Kinsella
Ciarán Regan
Think the forwards are a bit lightweight and this team is very vulnerable given the lack of experience. On the flip side, Antrim look like they've a good few lads who dropped off the panel (Looks like they didn't have much time for Davy), think they only had three lads starting against Kildare in the Walsh Cup who started against us last year (Although three starters from last year did come on, one of whom was James McNaughton). Keelan Molloy was a very good player for them but he looks to be gone and Eoghan Campbell looks to be gone too
They've a woeful record outside of Antrim as well, certainly don't expect it to be a great match (And will likely be a very small crowd), get the win and blood in the young players and I'll be happy, not really too fussed on the performance" Looking like it may be something like that . Looking forward to seeing Simon Roche this year think he has big potential . I'm hoping we have Jack Redmond back not sure how bad his injury he picked up against Dublin is. Cian Byrne has also been back for a while training he May started . Conor Hearne has been back training the last 3 to 4 weeks so May also be ready to start
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 839 - 21/01/2026 08:25:14
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Replying To Viking66: "Byrne and Redmond played a half each of the challenge game against Kilkenny, so I imagine both should be available.
Thats a very young team you have there, and the 2 lads if available won't make it any older! They will make it stronger though." Good to hear they played against Kilkenny id expect both to start then which should make us stronger. Hopefully Conor Hearne is fit enough to feature too. I think its vital we get the win even if its by 1 point with the young team we are going to have out. This will be the toughest of our first 3 games I think . It's vital for us to win our first 3 games to give us a chance of promotion.
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 839 - 21/01/2026 10:04:45
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Am guessing the team on Saturday will look a lot like the side that lined out against Dublin in the Walsh Cup, don't know whether Jack Redmond is injured, the game probably comes too soon for Cian Byrne (Although he could probably come off the bench), and we should have Simon Roche available for this one
So thinking....
Mark Fanning
Niall Murphy
Conor Foley
Darragh Carley
Eoin Whelan
Richie Lawlor
Éamon Wickham
Corey Byrne-Dunbar
Seán Rowley
Ross Banville
Kevin Foley
Mike Kelly
Simon Roche
Tucker Kinsella
Ciarán Regan
Think the forwards are a bit lightweight and this team is very vulnerable given the lack of experience. On the flip side, Antrim look like they've a good few lads who dropped off the panel (Looks like they didn't have much time for Davy), think they only had three lads starting against Kildare in the Walsh Cup who started against us last year (Although three starters from last year did come on, one of whom was James McNaughton). Keelan Molloy was a very good player for them but he looks to be gone and Eoghan Campbell looks to be gone too
They've a woeful record outside of Antrim as well, certainly don't expect it to be a great match (And will likely be a very small crowd), get the win and blood in the young players and I'll be happy, not really too fussed on the performance" Think you'll see about 11 of those starting if I had to guess. Don't think any of us will be looking for anything spectacular out of the first 3 games at least, just get minutes into newer lads and get 6 points from 6 and at least after the Carlow game we'll have a 2 week break before going to Croke Park which will give more of a chance for established players to come back in to the fold. Don't think Saturday will be plain sailing either.
Going to try get back to Limerick in time Sunday to go to Clare vs Dublin in Ennis.
OpenStandWall (Wexford) - Posts: 322 - 21/01/2026 10:58:45
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Replying To Viking66: "Byrne and Redmond played a half each of the challenge game against Kilkenny, so I imagine both should be available.
Thats a very young team you have there, and the 2 lads if available won't make it any older!" Tbf, I don't think we've any other option, usually think going with a young team like that is a bit like throwing them to the wolves but we don't really have many other options
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 797 - 21/01/2026 11:22:32
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Replying To Afinestick96: "Good to hear they played against Kilkenny id expect both to start then which should make us stronger. Hopefully Conor Hearne is fit enough to feature too. I think its vital we get the win even if its by 1 point with the young team we are going to have out. This will be the toughest of our first 3 games I think . It's vital for us to win our first 3 games to give us a chance of promotion." Being realistic we will need to win our 1st 3 games, our last game, and 1 of Dublin or Clare away. Preferably both in case of a 3 way tie.
Its doable for sure, but equally we could fall flat on our faces.
Not knowing......The joys of being a Wexford supporter......
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 21/01/2026 11:30:59
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Tbf, I don't think we've any other option, usually think going with a young team like that is a bit like throwing them to the wolves but we don't really have many other options" Fanning
Carley
Murphy (play him in his best position)
Kehoe
C Foley
Lawlor
Whelan
Wickham
CBD
Kelly
Roche
Redmond
Byrne
Rowley
K Foley (roaming around the middle 3rd)
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 21/01/2026 12:03:47
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Tbf, I don't think we've any other option, usually think going with a young team like that is a bit like throwing them to the wolves but we don't really have many other options" Think Id go something like this-
Fanning
Carley
Murphy (play him in his best position)
Kehoe
C Foley
Lawlor
Whelan
Wickham
CBD
Kelly
Roche
Redmond
Byrne
Rowley
K Foley (roaming around the middle 3rd)
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 21/01/2026 12:04:19
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Replying To Viking66: "Being realistic we will need to win our 1st 3 games, our last game, and 1 of Dublin or Clare away. Preferably both in case of a 3 way tie.
Its doable for sure, but equally we could fall flat on our faces.
Not knowing......The joys of being a Wexford supporter......" I agree thats why its vital we win our first 3 games or our promotion hopes are really up against it. Best case scenario is the young lads really step up in the first 3 games and we have the likes of Chin, Recks , Conor Hearne , Cian Molloy and Martins players back to provide back to bolster our squad for the Dublin game in Croker on February 21st
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 839 - 21/01/2026 12:04:50
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Replying To Viking66: "Think Id go something like this-
Fanning
Carley
Murphy (play him in his best position)
Kehoe
C Foley
Lawlor
Whelan
Wickham
CBD
Kelly
Roche
Redmond
Byrne
Rowley
K Foley (roaming around the middle 3rd)" Who is the Murphy ya have named at fullback.. Eoin whelan lacks a lot of pace for me for wing back and could get take. To the cleaners if someone gets a run on him..can't see Mike Kelly starting either has done nothing to impress me in 2 Walsh cup games
gannett83 (Wexford) - Posts: 331 - 21/01/2026 12:40:15
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Replying To Viking66: "Think Id go something like this-
Fanning
Carley
Murphy (play him in his best position)
Kehoe
C Foley
Lawlor
Whelan
Wickham
CBD
Kelly
Roche
Redmond
Byrne
Rowley
K Foley (roaming around the middle 3rd)" Is Darragh Kehoe with the squad Viking? Would like to see him play if he is
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 839 - 21/01/2026 12:45:53
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Here's one for ye now and was only thinking about it after listening to the lads podcast there earlier with Willie Cleary.
If you had to choose this year, and both scenarios include new players being blooded in to the panel, and putting themselves in contention for starting places in 2027.
1. Get promoted to 1A, where the newer players this year would be exposed to a higher level of hurling next year, with a shot at a bit of silverware vs either Clare or Dublin and finish 4th in Leinster.
2. Finish both 3rd in the league and Leinster and end up having to play probably one of Cork Limerick Clare or Tipp?
Still a couple of months away but I can't see us getting to a Leinster final this year, and I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong in that regard also.
OpenStandWall (Wexford) - Posts: 322 - 21/01/2026 13:03:40
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Presuming Martins lads, Recks and Conor Hearne arent ready to feature I would go with
Mark Fanning
Niall Murphy
Conor Foley
Darragh Carley
Eoin Whelan
Richie Lawlor
Éamon Wickham
Corey Byrne-Dunbar
Seán Rowley
Ross Banville
Simon Roche
Jack Redmond
Kevin Foley (Roaming)
Tucker Kinsella
Cian Byrne
Surely one of the youngest teams we've ever put out ? Time for these lads to take the opportunity
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 839 - 21/01/2026 13:13:23
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Replying To Afinestick96: "Is Darragh Kehoe with the squad Viking? Would like to see him play if he is" Yes. Me too.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 21/01/2026 13:21:40
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Replying To gannett83: "Who is the Murphy ya have named at fullback.. Eoin whelan lacks a lot of pace for me for wing back and could get take. To the cleaners if someone gets a run on him..can't see Mike Kelly starting either has done nothing to impress me in 2 Walsh cup games" Niall Murphy
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 21/01/2026 13:22:09
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