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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Thats a real pity if we are without Rowley. He was unfortunate last year aswell getting a bad injury in his first league game"
Yeah hopefully for him its not too bad.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 22/01/2026 11:22:24    2652475

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Replying To Jimbob96:  "Between all the top counties since 1997 wexford have the least success. Even offaly with there downward period have more success. Simply no natural urgency . No leaders in wexford anymore !" Thats why there is no success underage."
In what way are we a top county then?
In terms of underage we have reached as many AI u20/1 all ireland finals as Waterford and Offaly put together since 1997, and the same number as Dublin.
At minor we have reached 1 less Leinster minor final than Dublin, and more than than twice as many as Offaly.
We have reached more Leinster Senior finals than Dublin and Offaly put together since 1997. And won more of them than those 2 counties put together also.
While I personally don't consider us a top county, though I think that should be our aim, we are consistently better than Dublin and Offaly if you take the period you are stating, as in since 1997.
I think there's a top tier of 5 counties currently, then a middle tier of 5 with us and Offaly at the bottom of that tier behind Galway, Dublin and Waterford.
Its up to all of us collectively to try and change that.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 22/01/2026 11:27:01    2652476

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How are we shaping up at u17 and u20 this year?

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 491 - 22/01/2026 12:49:13    2652494

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From the Examiner….

"There was a worrying moment for the hosts, who staged the game on the artificial surface at their St Clare's grounds, when midfielder Sean Rowley took a huge, accidental, hit to the head from Waterford's Mark Fitzgerald.

Rowley had to be helped off the field and having earlier sniped two points his 45th minute departure robbed DCU of craft and dynamism in the middle third."

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 797 - 22/01/2026 13:19:50    2652499

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "From the Examiner….

"There was a worrying moment for the hosts, who staged the game on the artificial surface at their St Clare's grounds, when midfielder Sean Rowley took a huge, accidental, hit to the head from Waterford's Mark Fitzgerald.

Rowley had to be helped off the field and having earlier sniped two points his 45th minute departure robbed DCU of craft and dynamism in the middle third.""
Sounds like he took a big hit awful hard luck hopefully he recovers soon

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 839 - 22/01/2026 15:19:10    2652521

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Replying To Timbertony:  "How are we shaping up at u17 and u20 this year?"
Minors will be our physically biggest minor team in a long time, probably ever. They finished 3rd overall behind Tipp and Galway at u16 last year, and have a good manager, so should be decent.
U20s have a good management team over them, will have more lads playing who are up to the age, and who have played club adult. Should be a good bit better than last year.
In terms of my expectations Im not sure either team will be strong enough to win an AI in all honesty. Tipp would be hot favourites for me for minor, Clare will be the usual dark horses. Think our lads might give Leinster a good rattle, though Galway in particular will be strong.
At u20 Kilkenny really fancy their team this year, Tipp will be good, as will Clare. Galway won't be bad. Problem with the u20 format is there's only 2 teams in the AI series, and Id have us as only 3rd favourites for Leinster. It wouldve been good to see us play a Munster team in a knockout game at the grade.
Sorry to those who think Im accepting mediocrity by posting this, but thats being realistic about our chances. Obviously Ill go support the lads, and hopefully both teams can get a few wins and get some momentum going, and see where that takes us. To quote Martin Fogarty again, never underestimate the power of winning.......

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 22/01/2026 15:22:50    2652524

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Replying To Timbertony:  "How are we shaping up at u17 and u20 this year?"
Minors will be our physically biggest minor team in a long time, probably ever. They finished 3rd overall behind Tipp and Galway at u16 last year, and have a good manager, so should be decent.
U20s have a good management team over them, will have more lads playing who are up to the age, and who have played club adult. Should be a good bit better than last year.
In terms of my expectations Im not sure either team will be strong enough to win an AI in all honesty. Tipp would be hot favourites for me for minor, Clare will be the usual dark horses. Think our lads might give Leinster a good rattle, though Galway in particular will be strong.
At u20 Kilkenny really fancy their team this year, Tipp will be good, as will Clare. Galway won't be bad. Problem with the u20 format is there's only 2 teams in the AI series, and Id have us as only 3rd favourites for Leinster. It wouldve been good to see us play a Munster team in a knockout game at the grade.
Sorry to those who think Im accepting mediocrity by posting this, but thats being realistic about our chances. Obviously Ill go support the lads, and hopefully both teams can get a few wins and get some momentum going, and see where that takes us. To quote Martin Fogarty again, never underestimate the power of winning.......
Id be very surprised if either team lose to Offaly all the same.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 22/01/2026 15:25:16    2652526

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "From the Examiner….

"There was a worrying moment for the hosts, who staged the game on the artificial surface at their St Clare's grounds, when midfielder Sean Rowley took a huge, accidental, hit to the head from Waterford's Mark Fitzgerald.

Rowley had to be helped off the field and having earlier sniped two points his 45th minute departure robbed DCU of craft and dynamism in the middle third.""
Hopefully he's not suffering from concussion

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 22/01/2026 15:26:34    2652527

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Replying To Timbertony:  "How are we shaping up at u17 and u20 this year?"
Id be very surprised if either team loses to Kildare or Offaly this year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 22/01/2026 15:33:45    2652531

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Replying To Viking66:  "Minors will be our physically biggest minor team in a long time, probably ever. They finished 3rd overall behind Tipp and Galway at u16 last year, and have a good manager, so should be decent.
U20s have a good management team over them, will have more lads playing who are up to the age, and who have played club adult. Should be a good bit better than last year.
In terms of my expectations Im not sure either team will be strong enough to win an AI in all honesty. Tipp would be hot favourites for me for minor, Clare will be the usual dark horses. Think our lads might give Leinster a good rattle, though Galway in particular will be strong.
At u20 Kilkenny really fancy their team this year, Tipp will be good, as will Clare. Galway won't be bad. Problem with the u20 format is there's only 2 teams in the AI series, and Id have us as only 3rd favourites for Leinster. It wouldve been good to see us play a Munster team in a knockout game at the grade.
Sorry to those who think Im accepting mediocrity by posting this, but thats being realistic about our chances. Obviously Ill go support the lads, and hopefully both teams can get a few wins and get some momentum going, and see where that takes us. To quote Martin Fogarty again, never underestimate the power of winning......."
Really hope Leinster aren't persisting with the same U20 format as before, the league stage is all a bit Mickey Mouse

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 797 - 22/01/2026 16:47:00    2652550

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Really hope Leinster aren't persisting with the same U20 format as before, the league stage is all a bit Mickey Mouse"
Think its to be the same. If we could win 2 games and get a bye to a SF would be massive for confidence.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 22/01/2026 17:26:40    2652561

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Replying To Viking66:  "In what way are we a top county then?
In terms of underage we have reached as many AI u20/1 all ireland finals as Waterford and Offaly put together since 1997, and the same number as Dublin.
At minor we have reached 1 less Leinster minor final than Dublin, and more than than twice as many as Offaly.
We have reached more Leinster Senior finals than Dublin and Offaly put together since 1997. And won more of them than those 2 counties put together also.
While I personally don't consider us a top county, though I think that should be our aim, we are consistently better than Dublin and Offaly if you take the period you are stating, as in since 1997.
I think there's a top tier of 5 counties currently, then a middle tier of 5 with us and Offaly at the bottom of that tier behind Galway, Dublin and Waterford.
Its up to all of us collectively to try and change that."
Pretty depressing post, at the end of the day only 4 counties have won more hurling All Ireland's than Wexford.

Jedobi (Wexford) - Posts: 270 - 22/01/2026 21:04:01    2652604

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Replying To Viking66:  "Minors will be our physically biggest minor team in a long time, probably ever. They finished 3rd overall behind Tipp and Galway at u16 last year, and have a good manager, so should be decent.
U20s have a good management team over them, will have more lads playing who are up to the age, and who have played club adult. Should be a good bit better than last year.
In terms of my expectations Im not sure either team will be strong enough to win an AI in all honesty. Tipp would be hot favourites for me for minor, Clare will be the usual dark horses. Think our lads might give Leinster a good rattle, though Galway in particular will be strong.
At u20 Kilkenny really fancy their team this year, Tipp will be good, as will Clare. Galway won't be bad. Problem with the u20 format is there's only 2 teams in the AI series, and Id have us as only 3rd favourites for Leinster. It wouldve been good to see us play a Munster team in a knockout game at the grade.
Sorry to those who think Im accepting mediocrity by posting this, but thats being realistic about our chances. Obviously Ill go support the lads, and hopefully both teams can get a few wins and get some momentum going, and see where that takes us. To quote Martin Fogarty again, never underestimate the power of winning.......
Id be very surprised if either team lose to Offaly all the same."
Accepting mediocrity - what I wonder is for the lads on here that are saying that could they point out the players on the team that could be better than what they are? a lot of lads make assumptions on what is in the head of players, some thing because players are not roaring and shouting and getting upset that somehow the players are not trying to be 100% of what they could be. Yet I doubt if one of them could name a player that could be 100% better than what they are - remember accepting mediocracy is almost like saying you are in the middle ground. Some players may have to accept due to personal circumstances or whatever that they will never get to their full potential but its different to saying that they don't want to get to it. Being the best hurler in the county will not put food on the table. Lads on here sit in judgement without ever knowing what its like to be there.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2150 - 23/01/2026 07:32:22    2652640

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Antrim have named their team anyway

Only four starters from their team against us last year named to start although this looks like a dummy team as it's the exact same XV that played against Kildare

Three of their subs against us last year named to start, then you have Cunning who played in 2024 against us also named to start. Three of their named subs started against us last year while another came on as a sub in 2025, then you also have Seann Elliott on the bench who played against us in 2024 but not in 2025

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 797 - 23/01/2026 09:26:05    2652647

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Replying To zinny:  "Accepting mediocrity - what I wonder is for the lads on here that are saying that could they point out the players on the team that could be better than what they are? a lot of lads make assumptions on what is in the head of players, some thing because players are not roaring and shouting and getting upset that somehow the players are not trying to be 100% of what they could be. Yet I doubt if one of them could name a player that could be 100% better than what they are - remember accepting mediocracy is almost like saying you are in the middle ground. Some players may have to accept due to personal circumstances or whatever that they will never get to their full potential but its different to saying that they don't want to get to it. Being the best hurler in the county will not put food on the table. Lads on here sit in judgement without ever knowing what its like to be there."
Who's saying players could be better than what they are? I don't think anyone is really questioning the effort to be honest.

Granted I have said I don't understand why you'd be playing if you don't want to reach the top of the game but I realize an awful lot of people just don't think like that.

Players who reach the top level do ok financially. A lot of them get employment opportunities and flexibility they wouldn't get otherwise. I've had a good few working with me over the years and working hours around training and matches would always have been generous.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4165 - 23/01/2026 10:15:01    2652658

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Replying To Jedobi:  "Pretty depressing post, at the end of the day only 4 counties have won more hurling All Ireland's than Wexford."
I don't think its depressing. It's realistic. Right now we are behind the top 5 counties I named. 4 have won more AIs overall, and the other one has won 3 AIs since we last won 1. All have reached multiple AISFs in the very recent past.
All 5 have had more minor and u21 success in the recent past than we have also.
If you go back to the 50s and 60s we were one of the top 3 counties.
There's no reason we can't be again, but its going to take some big changes, more of the general Wexford public are going to have to get into hurling in a real practical sense, bring their children to the local club, get into coaching themselves. Even basic small stuff like talking about hurling when they are collecting kids from school, in breaks in work, in the shop etc helps. Keep hurling on family agendas, and maybe get new lads into it, or lads who can take it or leave it more interested.
If we can achieve that we will have more coaches at clubs, and hopefully more teachers in schools who are into hurling.
If that happens then there's a greater chance some of these develop into elite coaches. Same with players, the more kids hurling, and the more time they are pucking a ball, and the better their coaching is, the better players they will become. And again the chances of more of them becoming elite players increases.
Obviously success on the field would be the biggest help with all of the above.
None of this is rocket science. Culture boss ;-)

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 23/01/2026 10:20:13    2652660

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Antrim have named their team anyway

Only four starters from their team against us last year named to start although this looks like a dummy team as it's the exact same XV that played against Kildare

Three of their subs against us last year named to start, then you have Cunning who played in 2024 against us also named to start. Three of their named subs started against us last year while another came on as a sub in 2025, then you also have Seann Elliott on the bench who played against us in 2024 but not in 2025"
Its Davy. They will be good.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18109 - 23/01/2026 10:22:12    2652661

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Antrim have named their team anyway

Only four starters from their team against us last year named to start although this looks like a dummy team as it's the exact same XV that played against Kildare

Three of their subs against us last year named to start, then you have Cunning who played in 2024 against us also named to start. Three of their named subs started against us last year while another came on as a sub in 2025, then you also have Seann Elliott on the bench who played against us in 2024 but not in 2025"
Presume it'll be the usual craic with us, about 12 o'clock tonight or tomorrow morning…forecast looks poor for home too so think it'll be a bit of a dogfight tbh

OpenStandWall (Wexford) - Posts: 322 - 23/01/2026 11:34:11    2652679

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Replying To Viking66:  "I don't think its depressing. It's realistic. Right now we are behind the top 5 counties I named. 4 have won more AIs overall, and the other one has won 3 AIs since we last won 1. All have reached multiple AISFs in the very recent past.
All 5 have had more minor and u21 success in the recent past than we have also.
If you go back to the 50s and 60s we were one of the top 3 counties.
There's no reason we can't be again, but its going to take some big changes, more of the general Wexford public are going to have to get into hurling in a real practical sense, bring their children to the local club, get into coaching themselves. Even basic small stuff like talking about hurling when they are collecting kids from school, in breaks in work, in the shop etc helps. Keep hurling on family agendas, and maybe get new lads into it, or lads who can take it or leave it more interested.
If we can achieve that we will have more coaches at clubs, and hopefully more teachers in schools who are into hurling.
If that happens then there's a greater chance some of these develop into elite coaches. Same with players, the more kids hurling, and the more time they are pucking a ball, and the better their coaching is, the better players they will become. And again the chances of more of them becoming elite players increases.
Obviously success on the field would be the biggest help with all of the above.
None of this is rocket science. Culture boss ;-)"
Your enthusiasm knows no bounds viking and I admire you for that.
It would be fantastic if the things you suggested happened but I really can't see that coming about.
It's a rare thing for people in shops or pubs or on the street or in the workplace to talk hurling.
I bet in Kilkenny it would be the number one topic of conversation amongst many.
The chances of getting kids and parents more interested in the game will be extremely difficult to achieve.
Yes as you and others have said repeatedly that our u14s u15s and u16s have done well in the recent past. Keeping them playing is the problem.
The tendency for that age group in Wexford is for large numbers to drift away from the game for various reasons.
How do we change all that? I don't honestly know.
The only way maybe is for us to win silverware at either minor or u20 in the not too distant future.
However that seems unlikely at the moment.
We'll have to just wait and see how our underage and seniors perform this year.
We try to be positive and hopeful but the road back to success seems like a very long one
On a more positive note my prediction for tomorrow is Wexford to win by 5 points.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 582 - 23/01/2026 11:43:47    2652684

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Culture is something that is partly built, partly you either have it or you don't.
But where you don't you have to work doubly hard to create hurlers. This is why Limerick had such success, their culture was fire and brimstone and emotion but hard luck stories since the 70s.
They said we need to go back to just putting more effort in coaching better hurlers than Tipp, Cork and Clare and results followed.
The effort in clubs in Wexford is good but its not out of this world either. Particularly on the part of parents, lots view GAA as a cheap babysitter where they drop at the gate for an hour, pick them up and the hurl never gets out of the boot of the car until the next session. This is where parents come in, its where schools come in, even bringing the hurls to school and as above 10 minutes of hurling twice a day in a school classroom break helps embed the culture.
The best hurlers are always the one who can do the basic skills best under pressure. Nothing cultural about that, just practice.
I don't believe any Wexford or Dublin or Cork or Waterford hurler is trying less than 100%. What I do think though is that there is a chance that the coaching in some counties for underage players is so much better that senior hurling is just refining their skills. Has the coaching in Wexford been good? Results tell the story here.
But everything revolves around underage. Success gives everybody a shot in the arm. It gives everybody hope. Never underestimate winning, but no good winning B and C All-Irelands. Need to be winning where the real acid test is.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1531 - 23/01/2026 12:09:49    2652692

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