WEX98 (Wexford) - Posts: 382 - 27/08/2017 08:44:22    2038454

Went to a lot of games over the weekend. The early starts are a reminder that the end of the championships are in sight and how much we will miss it. While some of the decisions made by referees appear to be bizarre at least they were consistent with both teams in the games I saw . On the whole referees umpires linesman do their best and as we all know it is a very thankless job.
Rapps did very well for most their game v Oulart while Gorey didn't get the rub of the green against the favourites Saint Martin's .
On a completely separate note I spoke to parents from three different clubs yesterday and today who were left very upset about the Wex under 16 team. Main problem seems to have been caused the posting on the Wex website which names certain players as playing and part of the panel and a short few hours later this was changed which resulted in a lot of upset youngsters and their families. While I am not suggesting there was any favouritism shown towards certain players it does begger the question what were the management doing making a major cock up like this and did they apologise. If youngsters are not treated with respect and fairly they will simply walk away be that with club or county.

Stratos (Wexford) - Posts: 37 - 28/08/2017 17:01:57    2039464

unfortunately due to work,i did not make any games,but from a look at the weekends results,oylegate are the surprise package of the year so far.we should not be surprised,a good crop of young lads married with older more experienced heads,is a recipe for success.i think when they meet some of the big guns they might come a cropper,but they deserve great credit.
both groups going along as expected lines,but what has gone wrong with cloughban?finalists less than a year ago?now looking like relegation material?

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 28/08/2017 17:18:51    2039473

Time to get the calculators ready as the most incredible final round of group games since the new format was introduced is on the horizon. With five of the six teams in group A able to finish on six points, and equally tight breathing space in Group B, the permutations are endless. Should be a thrilling weekend all told. I'm going to supply a winning margin in my predictions for the benefit of working out the QF pairings.

Starlights vs Sarsfields: Sars may want to build some semblance of momentum ahead of their relegation final, while Starlights realistically need a win to ensure their QF berth. The Bellefield men ran Castletown very close last day out even when without their two key men, so can't look past them winning by 4.

Castletown v Glynn: Castletown have suffered something of a dip in form in their last two games and need to regain confidence ahead of what should be a QF. Glynn have built back-to-back wins and will relish the chance of knock Castletown down a peg or two. The north county men are mathematically through barring an incredible sequence of results, and may be happy for a draw. Draw.

Shelmaliers v St.Annes: it would be just like St.Anne's to claw their way into the knock-outs despite being off colour for most of the season. Shels have now lost their last two games in both codes, but a draw will be sufficient for their progress. Tough enough one to call. Anne's by 1.

Final standings: Castletown, Shels, Stars, Annes

Fethard v Horeswood: the Ross derbies are endless. A three point win for Horeswood and a loss for Jimmies by the same margin will see the Campile men retain their status on score difference. Not out of the realms of possibility, but can't look past Fethard doing what's required with a 2 point win.

Taghmon v James: potentially the tie of the round. Literally a flip of a coin between them. James were in a similar situation two years ago and went on to win the title. Ramsgrange won't panic and should eke out a 2 point win here.

Martins v Gusserane: Martins are the one team can afford to take the foot off the gas given their relative security. A draw should be enough for Gusserane considering their superior score difference, but a loss could be disastrous for the champions. With that in mind, I tip Gusserane to win by 3.

Final standings: Martins, Gusserane, Fethard, James (H2H record v Taghmon).

QFs: Martins v Annes; Gusserane v Stars; Shels v Fethard; Castletown v Jimmies.

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1424 - 30/08/2017 23:08:45    2040931

Groundball (Wexford) - Posts: 122 - 31/08/2017 12:31:37    2041110

890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 31/08/2017 13:04:07    2041131

I just realised a technical glitch in my predictions above. Should the scenarios pan out, then Gusserane would finish second ahead of Fethard on the head-to-head ruling.

So QFs would be amended to Gusserane v Starlights and Fethard v Shels

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1424 - 31/08/2017 16:29:23    2041244

My bad. I was correct all along :D

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1424 - 31/08/2017 16:30:04    2041246

hurlin101 (Wexford) - Posts: 104 - 31/08/2017 17:50:22    2041281

My attempt
Starlights vs Sarsfields: Starlights seem to be doing plenty of football this year and would imagine this will result in a 5 point win against a sarsfields team destined for relagation. STARS

Castletown v Glynn: Castletown were one of the teams to beat at the beginning (still are). I feel Glynn are coming just at the right time again like they did last year however and can see them winning by 2. GLYNN

Shelmaliers v St.Annes: It would be just like Annes to get through, so i wont rule it out. However, I have seen Shels in earlier rounds and have been impressed. I fancy them to win by 3. SHELS

Final standings: Shels, Castletown, Starlights, Glynn

Fethard v Horeswood: Fethard got a great draw against a very impressive Martins team and then lost to a Gusserane team which seems to be struggling massively so impossible to know what they will do. However I feel horeswood are a team in decline and over reliant on PJ so I will give a hesitant vote to fethard by 1. FETHARD

Taghmon v James: Taghmon seem to be a team with real momentum and the Jason Ryan impact is obviously working. St James are another team which flatter to deceive at times and based on results in recent rounds I will say Taghmon by 4. TAGHMON

Martins v Gusserane: What would have been seen as tie of the round and potential top spot decider when the draw was made is now the one of the easiest games to decide. Martins Title favorites and from all accounts very keen on doing the double this year. Gusserane from what it seems are struggling hugely and the talk of missing players wont help matters. Martins by 7. MARTINS

Final standings: Martins, Taghmon, Fethard, Gusserane

QFs: Martins v Glynn, Taghmon v Starlights, Castletown v Fethard, Shels v Gusserane

Bold vote at saying the semi finalists will be...... Martins, Starlights, Castletown, Shels

hurlin101 (Wexford) - Posts: 104 - 31/08/2017 18:08:12    2041286

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 31/08/2017 19:23:18    2041302

gahfan (Wexford) - Posts: 636 - 01/09/2017 08:20:04    2041465

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 01/09/2017 10:09:20    2041494

890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 01/09/2017 12:13:06    2041538

Groundball (Wexford) - Posts: 122 - 02/09/2017 11:31:12    2041771

St Martins v Glynn
Glynn had a poor start to the championship but seem to be hitting form or starting to find the form that got them to last years final at the right time of the year. They put in a very solid display to beat Castletown on Friday evening in St Patricks Park. St Martins have been almost flawless in getting to the last eight with their only slip up coming against Fethard however they were short a lot on that evening and a very good Fethard performance that evening saw that one end in parity. They have a serious pool of players and while Lyng and Waters are the ring leaders there is plenty of performers all around them. Physically Glynn can match St Martins, but I see this clash of Wexford district rivals going to St Martins by 4-5 points.
Castletown v Taghmon
Yet again the intermediate champions of the year before have made it to the last eight. In the last two seasons the intermediate winners have made it all the way to the final. Taghmon have ended up playing a Castletown team who are misfiring big time after a great start to the championship. Taghmon have youth on their side and a certain ignorance to the favorites tag which makes them very dangerous, they don't fear anyone and are well coached and well set up by Jason Ryan. Castletown on form are potential champions however form has eluded them on the last two outings. Taghmon's forwards are dangerous and there is goals in them with five over their past two games however Masterson is a very good keeper for Castletown. This has all the signs of raid by the underdog as ex Wexford managers Pat Roe and Jason Ryan go into battle on the line. Taghmon to win by 2 purely for the fact they will go into the game under no pressure to deliver.
Shelmaliers v Gusserane
The champions of 2016 are carrying a shaky run of form into the last eight with the loss of Adrian Flynn a disadvantage to the men in blue and gold. Shelmaliers have always knocked on the door in Senior Football but it time they started to kick the door down, they have the players and just need a bit more grit to see the deal through. A really hard game to call because even without Panther Gusserane have the potential to do damage with the two Cullen's and Mini both game winners on their day. Brian Malone and his crew can advance here by the odd point or two.
St James v Starlights.
The sides have met in 2015 and 2016 in the group stages with St James prevailing on both occasions having lost to the same opposition in an intermediate final in 2012 or 2013. Starlights have been very impressive this year with a solid plan in their game and this was evident when they should have beaten Castletown in the penultimate group game without Foley and Ryan who were away on holidays. Starlights were always in the shake up before relegation a few years ago and seemed to have refound their love for football. Also going decent in hurling and both can feed of each other as it has for St James in recent years. O'Hanlon and Ryan could be an interesting clash in this game, St James were poor v St Martins but much better v Taghmon while Starlights struggled for a while v Sarsfields. Another close game but recent experience in big games should see St James over the line by a point or two.
Relegation Final
Sad to see either of these two sides going down. Horeswood seem to be the better side having pushed St James to a draw, and beating Fethard in their final group game. On that evidence a win for the New Ross district men seems likely. The loss of a town team is worrying though for Wexford football and unless St Mary's replace them will see too many teams from the one area outside the top grade. Horeswood to have too much and maybe a stint in Intermediate might kick start a rebuilding phase for the Butters.

hurlorhurley (Wexford) - Posts: 1660 - 04/09/2017 11:57:58    2042504

Preview of the weekend's final round of the SHC https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1378013788914092&id=170202166361933

WEX98 (Wexford) - Posts: 382 - 05/09/2017 21:49:49    2043177

Predictions for the weekend

Senior Group A

Oylegate v Rathnure - Both teams already through but I think Rathnure could actually nick this one.
Buffers Alley v Shelmaliers - The Shels have to win to get through while the Alley are already through due to them having defeated Barntown earlier. I think the Alleys experience will come through on the day, Shels to finish 5th
Glynn v Cloughbawn - I think Glynn will win this and finish into 4th place.

Senior Group B
Rapps v Martins - Only one winner here, the Martins by 7 to 8 points.
Naomh Eanna v Harriers - I think the Gorey side will come through this struggle, all depending how they can curtail Chin.
Ferns v Oulart - Again, Oulart starting to hit there stride so Oulart by 6.

It will be a Rapps v Cloughbawn relegation final, hard to call from either team.

Intermediate Group A
Exciting finish to this group, any team could be in relegation bar Bunclody!

St. James v Askamore. A tricky one, if Askamore lose they will be in relegation while if St. James lose they could be in relegation also depending on the results. I think Askamore will get the win here, by 3 and I expect then James to finish bottom.
Craanford v St. Annes - I would feel there is nothing between these sides, James pulled off a brilliant result the last day beating the Annes but I think the Annes will still be in the final shake up come the end of the year so going for the Annes.
Bunclody v Ballygarrett - Going for a Bunclody win but I still think Ballygarrett should get through on score difference.

Intermediate Group B
Cushinstown v Monageer - Monageer shpuld win this handy as Cushinstown already in relegation. I'm expecting Cushinstown to be the team relegated this year.
Blackwater v Shamrocks - Blackwater need results to go there way to get through, I'm going for a hesitant win for Blackwater.
Crossbeg v Adamstown - Ballymurn win by 6.

alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 403 - 06/09/2017 08:52:50    2043264

great match reports and previews lads.

comc (Wexford) - Posts: 108 - 06/09/2017 09:46:51    2043289

Oylegate v Rathnure - Going for a hesitant vote for rathnure but it should really be a very tight game
Shels v Buffers Alley - I think the Shels will win in a very close and hard fought game
Glynn v Cloughbawn - I think the win the last day for Glynn will give them confidence but cloughbawn will fight tooth and nail to try avoid relegation, so i'll go for a draw

Oulart v Ferns - Oulart to win handy
Harriers v gorey - If the harriers avoid the bottom of the group i think they will be the most limited senior team ever to do so. I reckon gorey will win but not by a lot.
Rapps v St Martins - After a terrible start the rapps have improved immensely in their trouncing of ferns and they put it up to oulart for long enough too, so i think that, coupled with the fact that st martins have nothing to play for, will result in a very close game, but i still think St martins will win but i wouldnt be at all surprised to see the rapps win.

Prediction - Oulart v Buffers alley, St Martins v shels, Gorey v Oylegate, Harriers v Rathnure ... relegation rapps v cloughbawn with cloughbawn to go down

Intermediate
St James v Askamore - St James to win comfortably, askamores season has flattened out after a decent performance against Craanford
Craanford v St Annes - Hard to know which st annes team will turn up based on their previous results but ill give St annes a hesitant vote
Bunclody v Ballygarret - should be the pick of the games, but i expect bunclody to win in a reasonably high scoring affair

Monageer v Cushinstown - Match makes no difference to either team, but monageer are far the better side, however they dont seem to be able to beat a team by a big score. monageer by 5/6
Shamrocks v Blackwater - Im going to go for blackwater, i think they have developed a bit of a spirit and shamrocks are missing a few key men
Adamstown v Ballymurn - I expect adamstown to turn this into a tight low scoring game and i reckon they can just about get the win.

Prediction - Bunclody v Blackwater, Ballymurn v St James, Adamstown v St Annes, Monageer v Craanford ... Relegation - askamore v cushinstown


Intermediate A quarter finals - Fethard, Duffry, Oulart and Tara Rocks to win...Liam Mellows to be relegated
Junior Quarter finals - Rosslare, Gusserane, Horeswood and Bannow to win ... Harriers to be relegated
Junior A semi finals - St Martins and Ballyhogue to win
Ross district junior b final - Adamstown to win

890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 06/09/2017 11:39:50    2043366