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Replying To Viking66: "They arent going well. We took many months to replace our head of Coaching and Games, and we still havent replaced our Director of Hurling or Head of Athletic Development." Still no Director of Hurling or Head of Athletic Development - how long have these roles been vacant? Granted you want the right person in roles but I also want to see urgency.
wexford2012 (Wexford) - Posts: 141 - 28/07/2026 10:25:46
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Replying To wexford2012: "Still no Director of Hurling or Head of Athletic Development - how long have these roles been vacant? Granted you want the right person in roles but I also want to see urgency." Since the winter
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20359 - 28/07/2026 10:56:32
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "How much of an effect would they have on Development squads in the space of a few months though?
Not saying they're not an issue but outside of S&C work in schools falling off, I don't think those positions not being filled should have such a negative impact that there's a massive drop-off in results
A minor drop-off would be more understandable but there has to be more at play there" Think we lost a couple of better players to soccer and rugby. But as you say about the 2 unfilled roles Im not sure losing a couple of players wholly explains it either. Not having a Head of Coaching and Games when those squads started out this year likely didnt help though.
I get that the M/K report recommended that some streamlining needed to take place, and that more defined roles were needed for the lads occupying those top jobs, but the u15s definitely dont seem to be as competitive as they were at u14 last year, and the u16s dont seem to be as competitive as they were at u15 last year either.
Hopefully we can get our act together over the winter.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20359 - 28/07/2026 11:05:04
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Replying To Viking66: "The Kinnerk/Mcgeehan report was a bitter disappointment. It seemed to have cost cutting as a central premise. And for all it cost only stated what many of us already knew." I mean, I think there's too much stock being put in the report, you could have the best report in the world and it wouldn't make one bit of difference if there isn't any increase in time spent hurling at home/at school/at clubs/at development squad training sessions
It's not rocket science, it's fairly straightforward in theory, the problem is that there has been inertia/malaise amongst a lot of people in Wexford for around 40 years now and changing that is a massive task, will take a long time to put right even if we were to start now (Or have already started)
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1451 - 28/07/2026 11:49:00
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Replying To wexford2012: "Still no Director of Hurling or Head of Athletic Development - how long have these roles been vacant? Granted you want the right person in roles but I also want to see urgency." These are paid roles (Unless I'm mistaken) but I think it links in with the problem of volunteerism within the county, a lot of people who think what we're doing is wrong but not enough people doing enough to put things right
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1451 - 28/07/2026 11:52:02
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Replying To Viking66: "Think we lost a couple of better players to soccer and rugby. But as you say about the 2 unfilled roles Im not sure losing a couple of players wholly explains it either. Not having a Head of Coaching and Games when those squads started out this year likely didnt help though.
I get that the M/K report recommended that some streamlining needed to take place, and that more defined roles were needed for the lads occupying those top jobs, but the u15s definitely dont seem to be as competitive as they were at u14 last year, and the u16s dont seem to be as competitive as they were at u15 last year either.
Hopefully we can get our act together over the winter." Will be interesting to see how that U15 competition plays out, Cork and Tipp might be the best teams in it by a good distance, only playing in a Leinster competition last year at U14 might have possibly masked Munster being a lot better than Leinster at that age
Although I'm speculating here
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1451 - 28/07/2026 12:07:54
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Those underage competitions drive me bezerk. "Wexford Purple" v "Cork Red" means nothing.
Can all counties involved here not all agree that "Wexford A" vs "Cork A" or "Limerick A" would give a much more realistic viewpoint of where we are at? This is inter county underage GAA not GO Games in the local club where everybody gets a game. Players need to know "I'm good enough for the A team" or "I'm only on the B team". Its competitive sport.
We want to know how good our top teams are and be comparing apples with apples, not apples with fruit salads and oranges depending on who we are playing.
Or am I missing a point?
StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 2138 - 28/07/2026 12:11:28
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Losing players to other sports hurts at the time, but listening to Andy Moran speak about Ryan O'Donoghue's journey was interesting. Here was a player who spent time on Irish boxing development squads and with Sligo Rovers before returning to Gaelic football. The lesson isn't that talented young players will never leave. They always will. The lesson is that successful counties keep the door open and create pathways for them to come back.
Not every future inter-county player will follow a straight line. We need systems that recognise that reality.
I genuinely hope I'm wrong about this, but the nagging concern I have is not that Wexford lacks talent, commitment or potential.
It's whether we have enough ambition.
Whether we have a genuine culture of excellence running through every level of the organisation.
We have many of the building blocks. Good clubs. Dedicated volunteers. Passionate supporters. Talented players.
But are we moving forward with clear intent, or are we simply going through the motions?
Are we challenging ourselves hard enough?
Is Wexford GAA a well-oiled machine?
Have we mastered the basics?
Are we best-in-class in any area and, if so, what are we learning from that success and replicating elsewhere?
Because if the answer to those questions is no, then we are leaving success to chance.
And if we're relying on chance, then we're not really serious about competing with the best counties in Ireland.
Wexford supporters are tired of hearing about "the great work being done".
Nobody doubts the effort. Nobody doubts the commitment.
But effort is the starting point, not the destination.
What supporters want to see is progress. They want to see standards. They want to see evidence that we are closing the gap. We may well be improving. The uncomfortable possibility is that the counties ahead of us are improving faster.
If that's true, then doing more of the same won't be enough.
Mayo's victory should not make us envious. It should make us ambitious.
Because there is no reason Wexford cannot be a top-tier county again.
But wishing for it won't make it happen.
Excellence is a choice. Urgency is a choice. Leadership is a choice.
The question for all of us is simple:
Are we prepared to make those choices, or will we still be having this same conversation in ten years' time?
wexford2012 (Wexford) - Posts: 141 - 28/07/2026 12:29:19
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Will be interesting to see how that U15 competition plays out, Cork and Tipp might be the best teams in it by a good distance, only playing in a Leinster competition last year at U14 might have possibly masked Munster being a lot better than Leinster at that age
Although I'm speculating here" We beat most of all the Munster counties teams we played at u14 last year. We beat 3 of the 4 Cork teams, and 2 of the Tipp Divisions reinforced with lads from the other 2.
Obviously at u15 and u16 we are now playing Cork A and Tipp A teams, but Limerick and Clare have mixed teams.
Our current u14 set up fielded mixed teams at the weekend, which personally I think is a good idea for development, and won 3 of the 6 games they played. There's alot I like about the way our u14s have been set up this year in fairness. The only criticism Id have is that theres been no work done on different tactical set ups, playing with and against. Although I do see the counter argument that its better at that age that lads are concentrating on individual skills and winning their own battles.
I would like to see far more emphasis on this at u15 and u16, but our lads at those agegroups are getting less coaching contacts as a group than their equivalent set ups in other counties. Which is mainly down to the clubs not wanting to be without their lads.
One way to help get more would be winter hurling for all agegroups from u11 to u16 as they do in Clare. But that would mean spending more money on staff, jerseys for the boys, and indoor venues maybe if the clubs wont donate them for a few hours a week, along with getting more good coaches to volunteer.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20359 - 28/07/2026 12:57:47
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Replying To StoreysTash: "Those underage competitions drive me bezerk. "Wexford Purple" v "Cork Red" means nothing.
Can all counties involved here not all agree that "Wexford A" vs "Cork A" or "Limerick A" would give a much more realistic viewpoint of where we are at? This is inter county underage GAA not GO Games in the local club where everybody gets a game. Players need to know "I'm good enough for the A team" or "I'm only on the B team". Its competitive sport.
We want to know how good our top teams are and be comparing apples with apples, not apples with fruit salads and oranges depending on who we are playing.
Or am I missing a point?" Limerick and Clare play mixed teams all the way up to u16. They are the only top tier counties who do this. They are also the last 2 AI minor hurling champions and runners up, Limerick champions this year, Clare runners up last year and they won the minor AI 3 years ago. Which may or may not be related?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20359 - 28/07/2026 13:01:47
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Replying To StoreysTash: "Those underage competitions drive me bezerk. "Wexford Purple" v "Cork Red" means nothing.
Can all counties involved here not all agree that "Wexford A" vs "Cork A" or "Limerick A" would give a much more realistic viewpoint of where we are at? This is inter county underage GAA not GO Games in the local club where everybody gets a game. Players need to know "I'm good enough for the A team" or "I'm only on the B team". Its competitive sport.
We want to know how good our top teams are and be comparing apples with apples, not apples with fruit salads and oranges depending on who we are playing.
Or am I missing a point?" Can't really force teams to play A and B teams though
Like Clare have three teams at most ages and they split them evenly, you can ask them to play A, B, and C but even if you do that, what's stopping them from just splitting them evenly?
Similarly, I think Tipp can have 4 teams and Cork can have 5 teams and these teams are based geographically, you can ask them to play A, B, C, D, and E teams but they could just turn around and say "Ok, our A team will just be Cork East or Tipp North or whatever"
I get the A and B point from a competition POV but then there's also the argument that subs on the A team would get more game time if you split the teams evenly and the weaker players might develop more if they play with the stronger players (Although could counter-argue that the stronger players might suffer from playing with weaker players)
Will be interesting to see how Clare's Minor and U20 teams perform in the next few years; if they get good results, would personally be in favour of having mixed teams rather than A and B teams and would also be in favour of adding a third team at the three age groups
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1451 - 28/07/2026 13:02:28
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At times I vary my opinion of a + b or mixed teams .
But I think mixed is better to try keep as many playing against similar or better competition where u have to step up to the plate.
I also wonder is it to appease parents and that takes the decisions away from coaches nd managers and not having to explain themselves to interfering parents
If u think that doesnt happen u would be very niave as it happens at all levels club or county .
So depending on the reasons thats why I actually change opinion on occasion. But if its to have as msny playing at the highest level possibld in prep for the future that would be a positive . Where none of ge young players that they ve already made it instead they have to keep progressing year on year .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 652 - 28/07/2026 13:56:44
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Replying To Formertownie: "I m a hurling man first too but a gaa man more so .
I looked and thought why on that day of all days would u post that it certainly did nt come accross as joking to me anyway . Lord i thought yesterday was one of the best days I ever witnessed in gaa.
Dont think anyone in mayo gives a hoot what u or I think about football if anything i d say they looked and laughed at that post .
I tihink i remember u saying u lived abroad for a while as i did thats when it struck me u know what theres a lot more people prefer football to hurling something I thought was impossible until I moved away from home . But still played gaa abroad . Football by far being the more professsional approach and I hurled with and under munster men as well as leinster men . But the football coaching opened my eyes to a world I never knew and I had played senior club hurling in both before I left these shores back in the day .
. But I do also lament the skills of football and as much as u might disagree the skills of football like hurling can be taught yes but only a certain few will excel at either or and if u cant see the skills of gaelic footbal in front of your eyes especially under the new rules its a different game and certainly this year was a better championship overall i m not going to try and convince u or care what u think .
If there was a choice yes hurling first for me .
Embrace both codes there is some chance of them flipping between hurling and football in the club .
But if they go to soccer rugby boxing athletics or any other sport there is very little chance of getting them back and hope they pickbitbuo again especially huroung . . So there is always a method in my thinking of dual playing
Yesterday was the greatest advertisement for Gaa I've seen in a very long time .
Embrace it ,and use it ,build on it but dont try belittle it." I lived in New York for a while. I'm also quite proud of the fact Wexford is probably the only dual county in the true sense. I just feel we have a responsibility to care for hurling and preserve it. It's part of who we are.
I absolutely was not trying to belittle the achievement at all. I really enjoyed it and am delighted for mayo. Truthfully it reminded me a lot of 96.
I was only having a laugh.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4625 - 28/07/2026 14:07:48
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Sound logic, thanks for the info.
But the point is, no county really has any idea where they are at after these matches. They are challenge matches in all but name.
So Wexford's first "real picture" of where we are at as a county is at minor, by which stage 10-11 years of work has gone in. I don't think that helps us.
On the general topic of coaching, clubs, etc. There are THOUSANDS of people in Wexford who "want" something to happen and for Wexford to be successful. But they don't support that effort.
This is not likely to apply to many on here, but I think it is such a missed point in general.
You don't need to be a coaching guru to set out the cones. You don't need to be a coaching guru to get out into the garden hurling with your children. You don't need to be a guru to say "how can I help". Its just all about everybody doing something not everybody waiting for somebody else to do it.
From afar, I think since covid Wexford people have become apathetic about GAA in the county. That is not a quick fix.
StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 2138 - 28/07/2026 15:00:05
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Replying To Viking66: "We beat most of all the Munster counties teams we played at u14 last year. We beat 3 of the 4 Cork teams, and 2 of the Tipp Divisions reinforced with lads from the other 2.
Obviously at u15 and u16 we are now playing Cork A and Tipp A teams, but Limerick and Clare have mixed teams.
Our current u14 set up fielded mixed teams at the weekend, which personally I think is a good idea for development, and won 3 of the 6 games they played. There's alot I like about the way our u14s have been set up this year in fairness. The only criticism Id have is that theres been no work done on different tactical set ups, playing with and against. Although I do see the counter argument that its better at that age that lads are concentrating on individual skills and winning their own battles.
I would like to see far more emphasis on this at u15 and u16, but our lads at those agegroups are getting less coaching contacts as a group than their equivalent set ups in other counties. Which is mainly down to the clubs not wanting to be without their lads.
One way to help get more would be winter hurling for all agegroups from u11 to u16 as they do in Clare. But that would mean spending more money on staff, jerseys for the boys, and indoor venues maybe if the clubs wont donate them for a few hours a week, along with getting more good coaches to volunteer." For me, I'd differentiate between strategy and tactics
Strategy is a long-term way of playing, tactics are a short-term approach which minimise a team's weaknesses and maximises a team's strengths whilst targeting the opposition's weaknesses and trying to mitigate their strengths
There is a need to develop a style of play that is consistent across teams so strategy is important but I don't think tactics as defined above should really be focused on at U14-U16 level
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1451 - 28/07/2026 15:05:00
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