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Wexford Intercounty Hurling 2023

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From a distance, it does seem odd that there is no talk of "where to from here".
The time to start looking at everything connected with hurling in the county was the day after Wexford beat Kilkenny. Not in the winter time, not next year, NOW.
There are no quick fixes or easy answers but the Galway minors were well beaten, Offaly were well beaten, it could be dramatic but accurate to say Leinster hurling as an entity seems to be off the pace.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1826 - 06/06/2023 12:59:46    2484388

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It's probably best to forget this year and move on.
We have all flogged to death the reasons for our dismal season.
Having thought about the manager topic long and hard I have come to the conclusion that Egan should stay. Earlier on I said he should go.
My reasoning is simple enough.
Going into his third year I feel that he will have learned a lot. He knows that we must play a more direct style. We have the forwards as was proved in the Kilkenny game. When we have the Two Recks back fully fit and a bit of tweaking here and there we will be stronger throughout.
The pool is small enough regarding a replacement manager. Who is there locally with proven credentials? All the top managers outside the wexford border are firmly locked into county management jobs and I can't see any of them jumping ship to come here.
I know we have had an awful season but I believe it was mostly down to our massive injury problems.
Egan had no choice but to play defensively.
Hopefully the injury list will be a lot shorter in 2024. It really can't be as bad again.
What we need most is intensity, pride in the Jersey. Passion in the way we play and believe that we can take on and beat the best.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 449 - 06/06/2023 13:35:40    2484403

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "From a distance, it does seem odd that there is no talk of "where to from here".
The time to start looking at everything connected with hurling in the county was the day after Wexford beat Kilkenny. Not in the winter time, not next year, NOW.
There are no quick fixes or easy answers but the Galway minors were well beaten, Offaly were well beaten, it could be dramatic but accurate to say Leinster hurling as an entity seems to be off the pace."
'There are no quick fixes or easy answers but the Galway minors were well beaten, Offaly were well beaten, it could be dramatic but accurate to say Leinster hurling as an entity seems to be off the pace.'

I think that's very dramatic, sure Kilkenny won u20 last year and Offaly were pipped at the end of the u17 all ireland, its all cyclical, at senior Munster was compelling this year with everyone bar Waterford at a high level, not so last year when Tipp were off the pace and Waterford imploded in Ennis. This year we went bad and Dublin are rebuilding so Leinster was poor in comparison, not just saying it as we won it that year but 2019 round robin with 4 teams at a decent level was a brilliant competition. I understand your on foreign shores so maybe so following religiously but Galway were defiantly the team with the highest ceiling at u17 this year, won every game bar Sunday by 11 points or more (beat Cork by 14 in the AI semi final) I think hype and over confidence effected them on Sunday but fair play to Clare who deserved it on the day.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 06/06/2023 14:47:55    2484432

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Replying To wendellgee:  "In terms of new players from the League, James Lawlor, Ian Carty and Conor Foley all came through. I'd say three every year would be a decent turnover of new players.
The grim reality is the rest of the panel bar Oisin Foley and Charlie McGuckin have been there since 2019, with the spine of the team making their debut under Liam Dunne a decade ago. Davy Mourinho'd the panel for five seasons, so we now have a team growing old together.
I would be hopeful they'll all come back next year, but injuries are a reality for older players, so we need to deepen the panel further.
For that reason, having management in place for the club championship is vital."
Apart from those 3 the gametime Conor Hearne got improved him massively, Rory Higgins improved also as did David Clarke. Simon Donohue also was much improved though I agree he's far from a new player. Conor Devitt also. Charlie Mcguckin also got good time on the pitch which will stand to him going forwards.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15669 - 06/06/2023 15:20:47    2484449

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Replying To Magpie2:  "It's probably best to forget this year and move on.
We have all flogged to death the reasons for our dismal season.
Having thought about the manager topic long and hard I have come to the conclusion that Egan should stay. Earlier on I said he should go.
My reasoning is simple enough.
Going into his third year I feel that he will have learned a lot. He knows that we must play a more direct style. We have the forwards as was proved in the Kilkenny game. When we have the Two Recks back fully fit and a bit of tweaking here and there we will be stronger throughout.
The pool is small enough regarding a replacement manager. Who is there locally with proven credentials? All the top managers outside the wexford border are firmly locked into county management jobs and I can't see any of them jumping ship to come here.
I know we have had an awful season but I believe it was mostly down to our massive injury problems.
Egan had no choice but to play defensively.
Hopefully the injury list will be a lot shorter in 2024. It really can't be as bad again.
What we need most is intensity, pride in the Jersey. Passion in the way we play and believe that we can take on and beat the best."
That last couple of sentences is what was most sadly lacking this year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15669 - 06/06/2023 15:22:26    2484452

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "'There are no quick fixes or easy answers but the Galway minors were well beaten, Offaly were well beaten, it could be dramatic but accurate to say Leinster hurling as an entity seems to be off the pace.'

I think that's very dramatic, sure Kilkenny won u20 last year and Offaly were pipped at the end of the u17 all ireland, its all cyclical, at senior Munster was compelling this year with everyone bar Waterford at a high level, not so last year when Tipp were off the pace and Waterford imploded in Ennis. This year we went bad and Dublin are rebuilding so Leinster was poor in comparison, not just saying it as we won it that year but 2019 round robin with 4 teams at a decent level was a brilliant competition. I understand your on foreign shores so maybe so following religiously but Galway were defiantly the team with the highest ceiling at u17 this year, won every game bar Sunday by 11 points or more (beat Cork by 14 in the AI semi final) I think hype and over confidence effected them on Sunday but fair play to Clare who deserved it on the day."
Clare have a half dozen very good players on that team and got their match ups right negating Niland and Rabitte. Galway had no plan b.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15669 - 06/06/2023 15:23:52    2484453

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Replying To Viking66:  "Clare have a half dozen very good players on that team and got their match ups right negating Niland and Rabitte. Galway had no plan b."
Yes some very good prospects in that Clare team like Gunning, Hegarty and Collins. I think Galway might have suffered a bit of the same thing Leinster have in rugby in the last couple of years where they weren't battled hardened after winning the majority of their games at their ease over the full campaign.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 06/06/2023 16:13:52    2484482

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How long do we expect the review of the year by Adrian Fenlon and co and decision whether to stick with current management team to go on? In my opinion we need this resolved by the end of June at the latest In time for the club championship . I think it is time to bring in a new back room team new and they need to be in place to get to see all the club action. In league and championship this year we only beat Kilkenny , Antrim and Westmeath and that's just not good enough

Afinestick (Wexford) - Posts: 999 - 06/06/2023 16:33:25    2484487

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Replying To Afinestick:  "How long do we expect the review of the year by Adrian Fenlon and co and decision whether to stick with current management team to go on? In my opinion we need this resolved by the end of June at the latest In time for the club championship . I think it is time to bring in a new back room team new and they need to be in place to get to see all the club action. In league and championship this year we only beat Kilkenny , Antrim and Westmeath and that's just not good enough"
If you add in the Walsh Cup we got beaten by Laois and beat Offaly, plus beat Kilkenny. In the 2 Challenge games we got badly beaten by Tipp and Waterford.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15669 - 06/06/2023 17:14:27    2484504

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Replying To countyman2022:  "Is Lee Chin Wexford's best hurler of the last 50 years?"
Yes.

Can't believe there's lads on here saying Egan should stay. I can't think of one good reason why he should.

ChinCanHurl (Wexford) - Posts: 302 - 06/06/2023 19:38:33    2484546

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Replying To wendellgee:  "In terms of new players from the League, James Lawlor, Ian Carty and Conor Foley all came through. I'd say three every year would be a decent turnover of new players.
The grim reality is the rest of the panel bar Oisin Foley and Charlie McGuckin have been there since 2019, with the spine of the team making their debut under Liam Dunne a decade ago. Davy Mourinho'd the panel for five seasons, so we now have a team growing old together.
I would be hopeful they'll all come back next year, but injuries are a reality for older players, so we need to deepen the panel further.
For that reason, having management in place for the club championship is vital."
They came through but I'm not sure any of them really impressed at this level, granted Foley is very young and we really were light on defensive options at the time. If they all commit next year, more importantly to hard work over the winter, lets see how they are next spring. Oisin Foley mixed a couple of very good games (Antrim and Kilkenny) with some very poor ones like Dublin and Galway. McGuckin got a lot of chances under Egan over the last couple of seasons but had no answer to Mannion in Salthill, obviously a very tough test.

New management team in place next spring and see how we go with some ambition in our play!

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 398 - 06/06/2023 20:43:38    2484556

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Replying To wexfordwin:  "Good post. I wonder how that toxic attitude crept in. Was it the Clare game I wonder?

The season started so well with the Kilkenny game under lights but it zapped so quickly and yet most genuine fans know that we were crucified by injuries in the league with as many as eight of our best players missing some days.

I have to say I don't remember the atmosphere being so bad leading into championship even when we were low on expectations. I remember reading an article by Vincent Hogan the morning of the Galway game about negativity around the county and being surprised by it. Then Damien and Lee pulled out in the warm up and there was a feeling that we were cursed.

I think losing the 20s final was a real pity as it would have given a much needed boost. I also think we would have given Cork a better game funnily enough as we would have dealt with their physicaality better."
Was thinking the same thing re the u20 final BUT still Cork would have been too good

wexford2012 (Wexford) - Posts: 92 - 06/06/2023 21:47:37    2484569

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Anybody hear of anybody about to throw there hat into the ring for the managers job if egan is asked to leave if there is no wexford man in the pipeline im sure Darragh Egan shall be staying on.What management team would people like to see ?

Wexpurebred (Wexford) - Posts: 205 - 06/06/2023 22:56:31    2484591

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Replying To ChinCanHurl:  "Yes.

Can't believe there's lads on here saying Egan should stay. I can't think of one good reason why he should."
I think there's a difference between best and most important.

I don't think he's our best hurler, but he's absolutely indescribable to us.

He lifts everyone around him. I'm just going to come out and say it. He's basically our Roy Keane.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3565 - 07/06/2023 08:42:54    2484620

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Replying To wexford2012:  "Was thinking the same thing re the u20 final BUT still Cork would have been too good"
We ran them very close in a challenge game we should've won in PUC. I know there's a big difference between a challenge game and an AI Final but their lads parents that were sitting around me were very impressed with our lads.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15669 - 07/06/2023 10:16:42    2484656

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I think there's a difference between best and most important.

I don't think he's our best hurler, but he's absolutely indescribable to us.

He lifts everyone around him. I'm just going to come out and say it. He's basically our Roy Keane."
Hopefully he can return fitter next year. When he plays like he did the last day he is completely unmarkable and creates so much space for our other players.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15669 - 07/06/2023 10:18:30    2484658

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I think there's a difference between best and most important.

I don't think he's our best hurler, but he's absolutely indescribable to us.

He lifts everyone around him. I'm just going to come out and say it. He's basically our Roy Keane."
He's definitely our best hurler too let's be honest, even the league game in Cork he was like a senior playing minor at times. But his performances are far too inconsistent, so is his fitness. He seems to be constantly carrying a knock or other so questions need to be asked of his training regime. Think he needs to shed some mass to be honest and be a bit leaner next year so he can be nailed down as our 11. I'm not a fan of him playing inside as we badly need him further out, plus we have likes of Mac and ROC in there. Get the sense under Egan lads were playing where they wanted at times, ROC dropping back to take frees at corner back..., that needs to change.

He was brilliant last two years v KK but was also on the field for both Westmeath debacles let's not forget. very good first half v Dublin but went missing in second. When Jackie Tyrrell and others were calling out our lack of on field leadership, Lee, as captain, has to take that on the Chin!

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 398 - 07/06/2023 10:40:41    2484675

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Replying To Timbertony:  "He's definitely our best hurler too let's be honest, even the league game in Cork he was like a senior playing minor at times. But his performances are far too inconsistent, so is his fitness. He seems to be constantly carrying a knock or other so questions need to be asked of his training regime. Think he needs to shed some mass to be honest and be a bit leaner next year so he can be nailed down as our 11. I'm not a fan of him playing inside as we badly need him further out, plus we have likes of Mac and ROC in there. Get the sense under Egan lads were playing where they wanted at times, ROC dropping back to take frees at corner back..., that needs to change.

He was brilliant last two years v KK but was also on the field for both Westmeath debacles let's not forget. very good first half v Dublin but went missing in second. When Jackie Tyrrell and others were calling out our lack of on field leadership, Lee, as captain, has to take that on the Chin!"
Depends how you define "best hurler"

I would say that's somebody who has mastered the core skills of the game. Catch, strike, hook, block etc.

Therefore I would argue jippo, mogie, the recks, roc, jakco, mac and dee are all better hurlers.

Chins contribution in athleticism, guts and leadership are everything to us in spite of hi hurling not because of it.

I think Damien reck is the best hurler in wexford.

Also accept the point on the Dublin and Westmeath games but really he hasn't been fit in 2 years.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3565 - 07/06/2023 12:45:45    2484725

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Depends how you define "best hurler"

I would say that's somebody who has mastered the core skills of the game. Catch, strike, hook, block etc.

Therefore I would argue jippo, mogie, the recks, roc, jakco, mac and dee are all better hurlers.

Chins contribution in athleticism, guts and leadership are everything to us in spite of hi hurling not because of it.

I think Damien reck is the best hurler in wexford.

Also accept the point on the Dublin and Westmeath games but really he hasn't been fit in 2 years."
Think that's an outdated attitude Doylerwex. Yes when he first came on the u21/Senior scene his hurling wasn't the sharpest but since the late teens most of his core skills have been as good as anyone on the Wexford team, and his catching would be far better than anyone else we have. He's really worked hard and improved at getting the ball up, soloing, striking, hooking and blocking too. His lifting of the ball when surrounded is probably better than anyone else we have also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15669 - 07/06/2023 13:02:30    2484727

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Replying To ChinCanHurl:  "Yes.

Can't believe there's lads on here saying Egan should stay. I can't think of one good reason why he should."
The one good reason is his effort to integrate new players. Does he deserve some loyalty after doing some hard work at the expense of results?

Not in my opinion. The negatives outweigh the positives for me.

I can appreciate how somebody my have a different view though.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3565 - 07/06/2023 13:19:13    2484735

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