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Replying To Timbertony: "Performance more than the result important on Saturday isn't it. If the likes of Kinsella, Roche, Redmond et al all perform to the level they are capable of then I think we can look forward with some positivity. The guys they are replacing in some cases didn't exactly perform consistently in similar games. If they struggle to step up then it will only increase the negatives vibes around the camp. Chin back is a plus, hopefully in more of a supporting role than lashing the ball in his direction continually." On that last point I really really hope so too lad
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 16:14:29
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Replying To countyman2022: "I don't believe so- score difference will be very poor if 3 teams end up on same points." I agree 100% that it will be like a polevaulter trying to bite the very top cherry on a cherry tree, but it will be better than Dublins chances if we beat them. If we beat Dublin Saturday evening we only need to draw with Kildare and we will definitely go up, whatever happens in Ennis.
At the same time Dublin are deserved favourites for Saturdays game, our younger lads will have to bring the performance of their young lives to beat them.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 16:23:51
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Replying To Viking66: "Absolutely it will be a hard game in Ennis. And yes it will come down to scoring difference if we lose to Dublin and beat Clare. But we still will have a chance, although it would need us to score heavily.
Dublin will have a far slimmer chance should they lose to us. Even if we lose our last 2 games and they win theirs we would have the head to head advantage. So if they lose Saturday they will need Clare to lose 2 and and draw 1 of their remaining 3 games. I really can't see that happening." In my view its winner takes all on Saturday as regards promotion goes. I think a draw would mean we would have to get at least 3 points out of 4 in our last 2 league games to be guaranted promotion
Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 886 - 18/02/2026 16:24:32
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Replying To Doylerwex: "I appreciate that. I probably didn't need to stick my nose in.
Moving on I don't think we're under any illusions or making any assumptions in terms of results. Last year I thought we could reach a Leinster final if things went right. We didn't perform, but were also unlucky. That's our fault.
I've said a million times I'm more afraid of Kildare than Kilkenny and I think most Wexford lads are the same.
Rossi does have a rebuild to do. I've made the point that the players he has now are at a similar level to what Liam Dunne would have started with and he set it up for Davy.
That's no guarantee of success, but I believe we have a group that are capable of reaching a decent level of they're guided well which will require some patience.
We're not tripping over trophies, but we're still producing a decent number of quality players." Look, it was none of my business either. But the internet pile ons that go on are not fair. Social media is terrible for it. People need to respect others views.
Anyway, a couple of apologies and all move on I say.
Yes, maybe that fear of Kildare will mean Wexford will be fore armed and fore warned. But Kildare are moving well, whether they can sustain it when the top teams get up to speed is their real test.
My ideal 3 out of Leinster would be Dublin, Wexford and Galway but I think Kilkenny are a bit better than all the rest.
How good the players being produced, all will be revealed between now and May/June. But I hope you are right Doylewex because we all want to see Wexford winning things. I think the winning has to start at underage first.
ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1568 - 18/02/2026 16:24:50
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "I don't think the pile on is fair.
He's a young lad and reacted to an unfair post in my opinion. Young lads hurling are hardly expected to be coaches, he has years ahead to do that.
Playing referee, I don't think either covered themselves in glory in the last few pages.
Re your second line, I don't think anybody wants that. BUT, I think you need to be careful here. Its only 3 years ago since Wexford were a disallowed goal away from Joe McDonagh hurling. Have things improved in those 3 years at underage or adult level?
I know Rossiter has a rebuild job but does he have the material? I HOPE the answer to that is yes and if that begins on Saturday at our expense then cest la vie. I'm just not so sure. Away games in Leinster v Kildare and Offaly are vital. Win those and Wexford are safe. Lose both and you could need to beat Galway and Dublin at home or get something in Kilkenny. The stakes have never been higher for Wexford and I hope not but think there could be a sleepwalking in to something.
Maybe the returning players will have me eating my words and if they are, cest la vie" Absolutely, fair play to you for pointing it out.
All views and opinions should be welcomed, too much wanting to shout people down cos they dont agree, no need.
tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1613 - 18/02/2026 16:47:09
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Just on under-age results….
Yes, everyone would love results to be better
But the most important thing is to develop Senior-calibre hurlers; tbf, if you do this consistently, results should look after themselves
The aim of the game is to produce at least two starters with each age crop; if you look back at the last two U20 teams, results were hardly great but we still had Éamon Wickham, Eoin Whelan, Darragh Kehoe, Cillian Byrne, Seán Rowley, and Simon Roche (Could maybe include Luke Codd there too as he was good enough to be in the squads, don't know whether he's currently in the Senior squad?)
IMO, the gaps between teams are smaller at Senior level than they are at underage level. This is because the real difference between teams at underage level is not that one team's best hurler is better than another team's best hurler but that one team's fifteenth best hurler is better than another team's fifteenth best hurler
Like I don't think KK had many better hurlers at Minor last year than Seán O'Brien but their worst starter was better than our worst starter (And you can make a similar argument for Carlow with Donagh Murphy compared to us). Even on a very good underage team, not that many actually go on to become very good Senior hurlers; only have to look at great Kieran's and KK Minor team from the last to know that
Mind you, I'd rather be producing those great underage teams because even if most don't become good Senior hurlers, it raises your floor as a county. There's a reason why Tipp, Cork, and KK are good even when they're bad
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 898 - 18/02/2026 16:48:55
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "You don't understand this Viking.
The colleges provide scholarships, and who they provide that scholarship to is not depending on whether they need to provide accommodation or not. They want the best hurlers they can in the door and the problem now is that UL are so high performing the top hurlers in Munster are all going there unless they are wanting to study something that UL can't provide and go to Galway or Dublin or Cork.
The players on scholarships and Fitz and Sigerson tend to get sorted with campus accommodation in DCU if they want it. Some do, some don't. But its not a deciding factor for the college. It doesn't matter at all to them.
I know somebody who is involved in this in DCU." Why didnt DCU make a pitch to Cian Byrne when he went to Mary I? Or Cillian Byrne when he went to UCD? Or Simon Roche? Cian Kenny is Kilkennys best hurler under 25 why did DCU let him go to hurl Ryan Cup with TUD? Richie Lawlor was on that TUD team that won the Ryan Cup final last week too, he left DCU to go there. He was starting for DCU in Fitzgibbon when they beat Mary I in 2023.
You are right, Im not sure I understand. Up or down there are plenty of good hurlers who are better than some of the lads on DCUs team who chose to go hurl Ryan Cup. I don't understand how this could be if what you have said about scholarships, and all the best young players wanting to hurl for the top colleges, is correct.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 16:50:32
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Replying To StoreysTash: "Is match on TV anywhere? Alas I don't have a private jet and the Chang Rai U10 team need to be trained, had to do something for them on the 3 days I am in the town." Looked it up storystash and unfortunately it's not been screened anywhere. I thought it was to be televised based on what I had heard a while back, but alas no.
I guess those of us who can't or won't travel will just have to listen to Spratt. Well it's just about better than nothing.
Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 609 - 18/02/2026 17:17:17
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "Look, it was none of my business either. But the internet pile ons that go on are not fair. Social media is terrible for it. People need to respect others views.
Anyway, a couple of apologies and all move on I say.
Yes, maybe that fear of Kildare will mean Wexford will be fore armed and fore warned. But Kildare are moving well, whether they can sustain it when the top teams get up to speed is their real test.
My ideal 3 out of Leinster would be Dublin, Wexford and Galway but I think Kilkenny are a bit better than all the rest.
How good the players being produced, all will be revealed between now and May/June. But I hope you are right Doylewex because we all want to see Wexford winning things. I think the winning has to start at underage first." I respect your views and your actions as regards Wexford hurling. And agree 100% that it has to start at underage, Ive been banging that drum myself for years now. But I do have a question for you. You say you care about Dublin hurling, so where are all the posts on the Dublin thread about where Dublin underage is at?
Last year, as you said yourself, Wexford were poor. We only finished top 2 or 3 at u14, top 5 at u15, top 3 at u16, and our minors and u20s had very poor results also. But your u14s, u15s and u16s didnt finish in the top 8 in any of those grades, and all lost to our teams at those grades, and your minors and u20s lost to our very poor minors and u20s also.
You say correctly that our schools are doing poorly, we had 3 schools hurling Leinster PP A this year. You only had 1 I think, Colaiste Eoin, and they only made a preliminary QF. St Mary's Mullingar knocked Offaly schools out in the Leinster PP A QF. Offaly schools beat Dublin Schools North by 27 (twenty seven) points in a knockout game before that. They then beat Dublin Schools South by 5 points and knocked them out too. Then they got knocked out by St Mary's Mullingar.
So where is Dublin underage/schools hurling at, and what do you think needs to be done to improve it? Why arent Dublin winning underage titles any more? Especially bearing in mind the huge numbers of underage hurlers they have. And why arent you putting your views on this up on the Dublin thread?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 17:29:40
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Replying To tearintom: "Absolutely, fair play to you for pointing it out.
All views and opinions should be welcomed, too much wanting to shout people down cos they dont agree, no need." Ah yes its easy get carried away for sure ;-)
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 17:36:12
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Just on under-age results….
Yes, everyone would love results to be better
But the most important thing is to develop Senior-calibre hurlers; tbf, if you do this consistently, results should look after themselves
The aim of the game is to produce at least two starters with each age crop; if you look back at the last two U20 teams, results were hardly great but we still had Éamon Wickham, Eoin Whelan, Darragh Kehoe, Cillian Byrne, Seán Rowley, and Simon Roche (Could maybe include Luke Codd there too as he was good enough to be in the squads, don't know whether he's currently in the Senior squad?)
IMO, the gaps between teams are smaller at Senior level than they are at underage level. This is because the real difference between teams at underage level is not that one team's best hurler is better than another team's best hurler but that one team's fifteenth best hurler is better than another team's fifteenth best hurler
Like I don't think KK had many better hurlers at Minor last year than Seán O'Brien but their worst starter was better than our worst starter (And you can make a similar argument for Carlow with Donagh Murphy compared to us). Even on a very good underage team, not that many actually go on to become very good Senior hurlers; only have to look at great Kieran's and KK Minor team from the last to know that
Mind you, I'd rather be producing those great underage teams because even if most don't become good Senior hurlers, it raises your floor as a county. There's a reason why Tipp, Cork, and KK are good even when they're bad" Absolutely, they each produce so many decent hurlers that their floor is higher. And they are generally more consistent as a result.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 17:39:40
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "I don't think the pile on is fair.
He's a young lad and reacted to an unfair post in my opinion. Young lads hurling are hardly expected to be coaches, he has years ahead to do that.
Playing referee, I don't think either covered themselves in glory in the last few pages.
Re your second line, I don't think anybody wants that. BUT, I think you need to be careful here. Its only 3 years ago since Wexford were a disallowed goal away from Joe McDonagh hurling. Have things improved in those 3 years at underage or adult level?
I know Rossiter has a rebuild job but does he have the material? I HOPE the answer to that is yes and if that begins on Saturday at our expense then cest la vie. I'm just not so sure. Away games in Leinster v Kildare and Offaly are vital. Win those and Wexford are safe. Lose both and you could need to beat Galway and Dublin at home or get something in Kilkenny. The stakes have never been higher for Wexford and I hope not but think there could be a sleepwalking in to something.
Maybe the returning players will have me eating my words and if they are, cest la vie" Exiled you are using a refereeing decision from 3 years ago to support your argument that things are absolutely desperate here in Wexford, yet when myself and others highlighted a poor refereeing decision that cost us a place in the Leinster final the year after that you told us that we shouldn't be using refereeing decisions to support our argument.
So which is it?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 18:23:47
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Replying To Doylerwex: "I appreciate that. I probably didn't need to stick my nose in.
Moving on I don't think we're under any illusions or making any assumptions in terms of results. Last year I thought we could reach a Leinster final if things went right. We didn't perform, but were also unlucky. That's our fault.
I've said a million times I'm more afraid of Kildare than Kilkenny and I think most Wexford lads are the same.
Rossi does have a rebuild to do. I've made the point that the players he has now are at a similar level to what Liam Dunne would have started with and he set it up for Davy.
That's no guarantee of success, but I believe we have a group that are capable of reaching a decent level of they're guided well which will require some patience.
We're not tripping over trophies, but we're still producing a decent number of quality players." Moving on also Doyler I think if all the lads who are now on our Senior panel are fully fit for every championship game I think we might make a Leinster Final.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 20:57:15
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Replying To Viking66: "I respect your views and your actions as regards Wexford hurling. And agree 100% that it has to start at underage, Ive been banging that drum myself for years now. But I do have a question for you. You say you care about Dublin hurling, so where are all the posts on the Dublin thread about where Dublin underage is at?
Last year, as you said yourself, Wexford were poor. We only finished top 2 or 3 at u14, top 5 at u15, top 3 at u16, and our minors and u20s had very poor results also. But your u14s, u15s and u16s didnt finish in the top 8 in any of those grades, and all lost to our teams at those grades, and your minors and u20s lost to our very poor minors and u20s also.
You say correctly that our schools are doing poorly, we had 3 schools hurling Leinster PP A this year. You only had 1 I think, Colaiste Eoin, and they only made a preliminary QF. St Mary's Mullingar knocked Offaly schools out in the Leinster PP A QF. Offaly schools beat Dublin Schools North by 27 (twenty seven) points in a knockout game before that. They then beat Dublin Schools South by 5 points and knocked them out too. Then they got knocked out by St Mary's Mullingar.
So where is Dublin underage/schools hurling at, and what do you think needs to be done to improve it? Why arent Dublin winning underage titles any more? Especially bearing in mind the huge numbers of underage hurlers they have. And why arent you putting your views on this up on the Dublin thread?" Think there were nine schools in Senior A this year
Kieran's, Kilkenny CBS, and Coláiste Mhuire (Johnstown) from Kilkenny
Counsel, Peter's, and Enniscorthy CBS
Coláiste Eoin and St Fintan's (Sutton) from Dublin
And then as you said, Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar) from Westmeath
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 898 - 18/02/2026 21:09:50
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Replying To Viking66: "Absolutely, they each produce so many decent hurlers that their floor is higher. And they are generally more consistent as a result." Yeah and I think it goes a long way in describing why our club championship is the way that it is, just not enough depth as we want there to be
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 898 - 18/02/2026 21:14:48
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Just for posterity, here are the schools who took part in Senior A, Junior A, and Second Year A this season....
Senior A: Kieran's, Kilkenny CBS, Coláiste Mhuire (Johnstown), Peter's, Good Counsel, Enniscorthy CBS, Coláiste Eoin, St Fintan's, Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar)
Kilkenny x3
Wexford x3
Dublin x2
Westmeath x1
Junior A: Kieran's, Kilkenny CBS, Good Counsel, Enniscorthy CBS, Castlecomer, Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar)
Kilkenny x3
Wexford x2
Westmeath x1
Junior A1 (Don't know why this is a thing but still): St Brendan's (Birr), Coláiste Mhuire (Johnstown), Mountrath, Ardscoil Rís, Coláiste Eoin, St Benildus, Peter's
Dublin x3
Kilkenny x1
Wexford x1
Laois x1
Offaly x1
Combining Junior A and Junior A1, you get...
Kilkenny x4
Wexford x3
Dublin x3
Westmeath x1
Laois x1
Offaly x1
2nd Year A:
Kieran's
Kilkenny CBS
Good Counsel
Peter's
Enniscorthy CBS
Castlecomer
Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar)
Coláiste Choilm (Tullamore)
Kilkenny x3
Wexford x3
Westmeath x1
Offaly x1
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 898 - 18/02/2026 21:42:02
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Think there were nine schools in Senior A this year
Kieran's, Kilkenny CBS, and Coláiste Mhuire (Johnstown) from Kilkenny
Counsel, Peter's, and Enniscorthy CBS
Coláiste Eoin and St Fintan's (Sutton) from Dublin
And then as you said, Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar) from Westmeath" Thanks ElGranSenor I forgot about St Fintans.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 18/02/2026 22:23:49
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Just for posterity, here are the schools who took part in Senior A, Junior A, and Second Year A this season....
Senior A: Kieran's, Kilkenny CBS, Coláiste Mhuire (Johnstown), Peter's, Good Counsel, Enniscorthy CBS, Coláiste Eoin, St Fintan's, Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar)
Kilkenny x3
Wexford x3
Dublin x2
Westmeath x1
Junior A: Kieran's, Kilkenny CBS, Good Counsel, Enniscorthy CBS, Castlecomer, Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar)
Kilkenny x3
Wexford x2
Westmeath x1
Junior A1 (Don't know why this is a thing but still): St Brendan's (Birr), Coláiste Mhuire (Johnstown), Mountrath, Ardscoil Rís, Coláiste Eoin, St Benildus, Peter's
Dublin x3
Kilkenny x1
Wexford x1
Laois x1
Offaly x1
Combining Junior A and Junior A1, you get...
Kilkenny x4
Wexford x3
Dublin x3
Westmeath x1
Laois x1
Offaly x1
2nd Year A:
Kieran's
Kilkenny CBS
Good Counsel
Peter's
Enniscorthy CBS
Castlecomer
Coláiste Mhuire (Mullingar)
Coláiste Choilm (Tullamore)
Kilkenny x3
Wexford x3
Westmeath x1
Offaly x1" Junior A1 is a seperate competition below Junior A. So its 2nd tier. Mountrath won it. They beat Birr in the final by 8 points. It was Mountraths 3rd win in the competition since 2018.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18441 - 19/02/2026 07:22:52
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Absolutely amazing that jippo is back. Whoever we're looking at for a long term replacement can learn a massive amount from him.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4256 - 19/02/2026 07:58:28
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Jippo back in the squad
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 898 - 19/02/2026 08:13:39
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