I have a lot of respect for Liam Dunne & for Wexford hurling but last night's performance was insipid, possibly worse than last year in Nolan Park. The puckout strategy was a disaster while Dublin's worked a treat (well, most of the time). I know the loss of Chin was massive but they should be showing signs of progress by now.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 22/05/2016 11:23:26    1857211

They were not great last night. It was an awful night weather-wise and as Cyril Farrell said the game was played at the pace of an exhibition match.

Wexford have taken a fair few beatings at senior level from Kilkenny over the last few years. At minor, under 21 and club level they are doing very well in Leinster. With that in mind, they may be better off losing last night. If they can avoid Cork/Tipp losers in the next round they should get through a round or two of the qualifiers which may allow them to build up steam and perhaps get a run like they did two years ago. If they draw Cork/Tipp losers then it currently looks like they will be out and a very bad season. I would reserve judgement on them for a few weeks though - last night was just a terrible match/night /weather..

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 22/05/2016 11:47:59    1857221

this is what happens when a county board go against the clubs and re-appoint a manager.
the dogs on the street could tell you after last year that dunne's era was up.
he is a living legend in wexford but the county board screwed up royally in re-appointing him.
but i do struggle to see why,with very similar personnel,we have regressed so much since 2014.
but we were down too many of our leaders last night,chin,redmond,shore,as well as seriously up and coming players like aidan nolan and shaun murphy.i know every team has their injuries but this is the spine of our team.i never once thought we would beat dublin and went in hope rather than expectation.
i am not even going to try offer any defence of the team but i thought it was an absolutely awful night for hurling.played in front of an empty stadium,it really made for a depressing evening.

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 22/05/2016 12:01:46    1857229

I know conditions were bad but they were the same for both teams and dublin managed to score 2-19 . Wexford were quite simply abysmal, no heart, no game plan, hit and hope stuff. Granted they have a couple of great players but there's far too many passengers for this level of hurling. I really fear for the future of Wexford hurling.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1908 - 22/05/2016 12:09:33    1857234

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2160 - 22/05/2016 12:35:28    1857242

well preddan,i have no such fear.we were brutal,but i feel many of our problems are down to coaching,and poor coaching.we lack any fire at all on the line and any clue it appears from how to change it.
we have players there with 3 u21 leinster medals,i know we didnt win all irelands but we have potential in the county,including those not involved,to be a far better side than we showed last night.
but i would challenge you to find 1 wexford supporter who felt liam dunne should be re appointed after last year.hammered by kilkenny,and then beaten soundly at home by cork?the supporters didnt want him,the clubs didnt want him,it was a real solo run by our county board and they deserve to be hauled over the coals over it.

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 22/05/2016 12:42:54    1857245

extranjero (Wexford) - Posts: 375 - 22/05/2016 12:51:19    1857246

The only thing about having success at minor level and U21 unless it's managed properly there's no guarantees of success at senior level. Look at the Limerick team that won the U21 3 in a row, came to nothing at senior level. There's a massive drop off of players from minor/U21 to senior grade. While underage success is hugely important there's a huge gap between that and success at senior level.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1908 - 22/05/2016 13:10:55    1857249

Wexford are always difficult to hurl against and even though they played poorly last nigh they still made life difficult for Dublin. Their hurling hasn't changed much in 10 years. They always appear to lack real passion and conviction. The amount of times Liam Rushe caught ball unopposed was shocking, yo wouldn't see it at underage level.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 22/05/2016 13:31:25    1857260

Sad to see Wexford hurling as bad as it appears to be now.The Dubs were poor too and still won in a canter.Worrying times for hurling fans.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 22/05/2016 15:54:10    1857339

How were the Dubs poor? Scored 2-19 in that dismal weather. That'd be considered a good score on a good day weather-wise.Hardly poor.

CroiGorm (Dublin) - Posts: 1547 - 22/05/2016 19:23:47    1857454

Have no such fear for the future of our game, a new manager will result in a rejuvenated Wexford which have become stale under Liam Dunne. We have been winning at underage, while it is not the be all and end all it is still a good starting point.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 22/05/2016 20:40:14    1857496

Everyone is slating Wexford yet not a word about how poor Cork were today. At least Wexford are showing progress at minor and U21 and with a new manager can move on at senior level. Also despite Wexfords contribution to the GAA down the years I always feel the GAA and the Irish press show little or no respect to Wexford, ie scheduling of matches, the relaxation issue a few years ago in the league and just general attitude. We are still in it and hopefully can get a run in the qualifiers.

Jedobi (Wexford) - Posts: 138 - 22/05/2016 21:08:42    1857515

Liam Dunne was lamenting the loss of four key players to injury.Lee Chin was a big loss but Dunne expects the four players to be back for Wexford's next game.Just bad luck to lose so many to injury.

I thought Wexford hurled well for 20 minutes but the second Dublin goal seemed to knock their confidence.In the second half Dublin gradually got on top and completely dominated the last 15 munutes.It looked as if Dublin were physically stronger and fitter.Matthew Hanlon is a hardy full back and fought gamely until the end.

It's not the end of the world for Wexford.The three U21 Leinster wins have given the county plenty of hope for the future.With Lee Chin back and a more favourable conditions i still think Wexford have a big scalp(or two) in them before the year is out.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 22/05/2016 21:09:59    1857516

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 23/05/2016 10:43:32    1857628

Looking at Wexford and Offaly, not to mention Cork, makes me question this whole thing about kilkennys greatness being good for the game.
We were told by the eternal optimists that the Cats raised the bar, others would up their game to join them and the game would be the better for it, but if anything it looks like these counties are almost beginning to lose heart, and the gap seems to just be getting wider.
Counties like Galway,Clare and Waterford are fighting the good fight at the moment but unless their efforts start to bear fruit (as in winning Liam) in the next 5 or 6 years I fear that those counties may begin to slide as well.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 23/05/2016 11:08:07    1857643

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 23/05/2016 12:06:46    1857676

Kilkenny's success comes from the dogged hard work for seventy plus minutes and the ability they have to out catch any other team. e.g. AI Final 2015 Galway ahead at HT but the Cats upped their work rate in the second half and the Galway forwards didn't get a look in. Galway had the talent in the first half to match Cats, conclusion from that would be that Galway forwards gave up the fight and didn't want to work to win the ball.
Look at the stats for field the ball, Cats are away ahead of anyone else height does not matter, TJ, Richie H, backs, forwards, midfield, they all out catch their opponents. Simple Equation:- Success in Hurling = Working harder than your opponent (70+ minutes) x Out catching your opponent.

Brian_Coyote (Antrim) - Posts: 346 - 23/05/2016 12:37:46    1857687

no no lads. not having a pop at Kilkenny. fair play to them for doing a job, and its not their fault that everyone else cant seem to out fight them.
Im just saying that their dominance is disheartening to alot of their opponents.
I hate when people say that the cats are destroying hurling. Its not true.
Completely agree with brian coyote. Those Galway players completely gave up in last years final and let the cats tickle their bellies. It was truly a capitulation, and thats not Kilkennys fault.
Im only saying that the idea that their dominance will improve hurling in other counties is unfortunately looking to be wide of the mark.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 23/05/2016 13:15:30    1857704

Croigorm,
The fact that you put up a big score (well average score really) dosn't mean you hurled well.The Dubs hurled as well as they had to, comment wasn't meant to be a dig at them more of an illustration of how poor Wexford were.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 23/05/2016 14:50:25    1857769