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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Don't know whether it would be viable in practice but would it make sense for there to be some form of inter-district competition at U14, U15, and U16 level in January and February? Could serve as a pre-cursor to Trials?

Assuming that Wexford and Enniscorthy would be the two strongest districts, you could instead maybe do six teams in order to even it up (Gorey, South North Enniscorthy, South Enniscorthy, New Ross, North Wexford, South Wexford)

Round-robin tournament, each team plays each other and then there's a final at the end so each team plays six games across six weeks. Could maybe run the three U14 games at the same time in Ferns at 10, the three U15 games at 11:15, and then the three U16 games at 12:30

Could ask each club to send at least three players, the likes of Clare keep 70 or so in their development squads as they think it's better to cast a wide net than to focus on developing a smaller group of players, could have somewhere between 120 and 150 players at each age group playing each Saturday, should given development squad selectors a good handle on who they should pick

Also think it's worth looking to see whether a B team competition is feasible for secondary schools. Some lads just won't do any hurling over the winter and will gradually fall further and further away from the better lads in terms of ability; if you keep them hurling throughout the winter, they don't fall behind which should improve the club scene directly (And the county scene indirectly). You would also have the added advantage of them bringing in their hurls to school more often which may lead to more lads picking up their hurls in the not-so-successful schools, could lead to a bit of a culture shift which we so badly need

Now these ideas might not be feasible but I think it's worth at least kicking the tyres on them

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 747 - 22/12/2025 13:53:03    2649194

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Don't know whether it would be viable in practice but would it make sense for there to be some form of inter-district competition at U14, U15, and U16 level in January and February? Could serve as a pre-cursor to Trials?

Assuming that Wexford and Enniscorthy would be the two strongest districts, you could instead maybe do six teams in order to even it up (Gorey, South North Enniscorthy, South Enniscorthy, New Ross, North Wexford, South Wexford)

Round-robin tournament, each team plays each other and then there's a final at the end so each team plays six games across six weeks. Could maybe run the three U14 games at the same time in Ferns at 10, the three U15 games at 11:15, and then the three U16 games at 12:30

Could ask each club to send at least three players, the likes of Clare keep 70 or so in their development squads as they think it's better to cast a wide net than to focus on developing a smaller group of players, could have somewhere between 120 and 150 players at each age group playing each Saturday, should given development squad selectors a good handle on who they should pick

Also think it's worth looking to see whether a B team competition is feasible for secondary schools. Some lads just won't do any hurling over the winter and will gradually fall further and further away from the better lads in terms of ability; if you keep them hurling throughout the winter, they don't fall behind which should improve the club scene directly (And the county scene indirectly). You would also have the added advantage of them bringing in their hurls to school more often which may lead to more lads picking up their hurls in the not-so-successful schools, could lead to a bit of a culture shift which we so badly need

Now these ideas might not be feasible but I think it's worth at least kicking the tyres on them"
Its an idea a few of us already pushed the ladt year or 2. You could bolster New Ross and Gorey Districts with a couple clubs from Wexford going to Ross, and a couple from Enniscorthy going to Gorey.
As regards the schools B teams generally play when the A teams have fixtures, but Counsel are finding it hard to get games for their C team. Peters would have enough boys for a C team also, but choose not to play one at all. Not sure about the other secondary schools in Wexford.
We definitely need to be doing more, your ideas are good ones.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17874 - 22/12/2025 15:11:18    2649204

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Not sure when the forum is closing lads so want to wish both contributors and moderators a very happy Christmas.

I get a bit carried away sometimes but I get a lot of enjoyment out of this site and have done for many years.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4106 - 22/12/2025 15:36:13    2649208

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Not sure when the forum is closing lads so want to wish both contributors and moderators a very happy Christmas.

I get a bit carried away sometimes but I get a lot of enjoyment out of this site and have done for many years."
Same to you Doylerwex really enjoy yourself and Vikings contributions and passion for Wexford Hurling. Hopefully we loads to get excited about in 2026!

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 787 - 22/12/2025 16:57:29    2649219

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Not sure when the forum is closing lads so want to wish both contributors and moderators a very happy Christmas.

I get a bit carried away sometimes but I get a lot of enjoyment out of this site and have done for many years."
Happy Xmas to you Doyler. Hope Santa comes, and you and your family have a healthy New Year in 2026!
(And Wexford win something for you too ;-) )

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17874 - 22/12/2025 18:36:28    2649238

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "Same to you Doylerwex really enjoy yourself and Vikings contributions and passion for Wexford Hurling. Hopefully we loads to get excited about in 2026!"
Hope so too Afinestick! Happy Christmas to you and yours!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17874 - 22/12/2025 18:37:08    2649239

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Anyone know if Conor McDonald is back with Wexford for 2026? I heard a few rumours that he's not which would be surprising as I don't think he's injured (could be wrong) and he's only about 30ish…

Purpleandgold72 (Wexford) - Posts: 280 - 22/12/2025 22:28:11    2649266

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Rory o connor will not be part of the wexford set up for 2026 . He is going travelling.I think keith rossiter is going to have to pull a rabbit out of a hat if we are to do anything in 2026. Confidence in this wexford panel seems to be on the floor.

Jimbob96 (Wexford) - Posts: 35 - 22/12/2025 23:50:22    2649272

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To all posters on the Wexford forum and beyond I would like to wish everyone a great Cristmas and all that is good for 2026.
We may differ in our opinions but at the end of the day we all want our county and club teams to be successful.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 576 - 23/12/2025 00:51:36    2649274

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Replying To Viking66:  "Happy Xmas to you Doyler. Hope Santa comes, and you and your family have a healthy New Year in 2026!
(And Wexford win something for you too ;-) )"
Many happy returns to yourself and the chaps Viking! All the best

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4106 - 23/12/2025 07:23:39    2649276

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Replying To Jimbob96:  "Rory o connor will not be part of the wexford set up for 2026 . He is going travelling.I think keith rossiter is going to have to pull a rabbit out of a hat if we are to do anything in 2026. Confidence in this wexford panel seems to be on the floor."
I see that report alright. That's an almost insurmountable blow if true.

Expectations rock bottom now, which is good place to start for a pleasant surprise?

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4106 - 23/12/2025 10:23:23    2649288

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Replying To Purpleandgold72:  "Anyone know if Conor McDonald is back with Wexford for 2026? I heard a few rumours that he's not which would be surprising as I don't think he's injured (could be wrong) and he's only about 30ish…"
Can't say for sure but the word is he won't be involved.

I believe patsy is the only gorey player returning.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4106 - 23/12/2025 10:24:21    2649289

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Replying To Jimbob96:  "Rory o connor will not be part of the wexford set up for 2026 . He is going travelling.I think keith rossiter is going to have to pull a rabbit out of a hat if we are to do anything in 2026. Confidence in this wexford panel seems to be on the floor."
I had heard he might be back for championship and was hoping that is the case

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 787 - 23/12/2025 11:05:44    2649299

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Read the Indo article about Rory, thought it sounded like the news was coming from the management team rather than the player given the way it was worded (Not saying it's wrong as such)

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 747 - 23/12/2025 11:05:58    2649300

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "I had heard he might be back for championship and was hoping that is the case"
Could still be the case, no dates mentioned in the article so it's either he's going and he doesn't know for sure when he'll be back or he's going but the management team don't know when he'll be back

Would've thought the base case expectation was that he was missing the league anyway

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 747 - 23/12/2025 14:39:16    2649320

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Had heard this last week, that he won't be back for the championship. Things could change though but I highly doubt it.

alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 576 - 23/12/2025 17:18:38    2649339

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "I had heard he might be back for championship and was hoping that is the case"
He might be.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17874 - 23/12/2025 18:18:57    2649345

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Replying To Purpleandgold72:  "Anyone know if Conor McDonald is back with Wexford for 2026? I heard a few rumours that he's not which would be surprising as I don't think he's injured (could be wrong) and he's only about 30ish…"
He's 30. Hopefully he will be back. He hasn't announced he is retiring. Yet. Hopefully he can give it another year or 2 at least.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17874 - 23/12/2025 18:20:52    2649347

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Could still be the case, no dates mentioned in the article so it's either he's going and he doesn't know for sure when he'll be back or he's going but the management team don't know when he'll be back

Would've thought the base case expectation was that he was missing the league anyway"
Its up to himself. Hopefully some of our younger lads really step up in the League, and we get promoted. If he thinks there's something to come back for, that might help him to make his mind up. He owes us all nothing, he is a joy and privilege to watch playing hurling.
A break away will absolutely be good for him mentally, and probably even more so physically. The chap hasn't had a break since underage, with club, county and Fitzgibbon when he was younger, he was/is also a top Footballer which people seem to have forgotten also, and Martins having runs in Leinster the last couple of years also.
Remember he has a knee that he has to manage also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17874 - 23/12/2025 18:27:34    2649348

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Have to remember that Dublin didn't have Eoin O'Donnell this year, Danny Sutcliffe also got injured, and Dónal Burke wasn't really back to his best and yet they still reached an AISF

The likes of Conor Foley, Cian Byrne, Cian Molloy, CBD, Richie Lawlor, and Darragh Carley have some experience at inter-county level and the likes of Simon Roche, Seán Rowley, Cillian Byrne, Eoin Whelan, and Jack Redmond should gain some experience this year, need them to step up, no real point in making excuses or bemoaning our luck

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 747 - 23/12/2025 21:55:09    2649359

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