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Was in Wexford park today think I seen Derek Mcgrath in the crowd which is a good sign he's down watching games. Two high scoring games Harriers played a lot better than the last day out I seen them they were well on top in the first half up by 8 at one stage I think couple of lapses allowed Oulart back into it. They got over the line in the end. Oularts full forward line looked like they could get something every time the ball went in. Hopefully they bring through more youth but they might struggle for the next couple of years. Don't know if Chin is injured but he seems to be struggling a bit but still manages to get good scores hope he's not too bad if he is. Glynn and Anne's was decent enough think Glynn have improved overall this year have brought the likes of Colin carley. Dee o Keefe was very good again and Mikey Fogarty held the ball up well. That's three teams from the same group after winning all the knockout games this weekend.
WexMurph (Wexford) - Posts: 366 - 13/09/2026 21:53:42
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Replying To camánouttathat: "I remember reading an article about the newly promoted sides in each grade after round 4. Played 20; won 0; drew 2 lost 18.
Funny that only 2 of the 5 sides ended up relegated Ballyhogue and Marshallstown and I would have backed Ballyhogue to win their relegation final.
Went in to watch Rathnure and Cloughbawn as thought the rivalry of the 2 parishes might make for intriguing viewing. How wrong I was. Rathnure could have beaten Cloughbawn by a lot more and wasted at least 3 great goal opportunities. Like another poster said testament to them for having 3 teams over Junior B grade.
Don't know what to make of Rapps and Fethard. Fethard again showing what they can do when they're backs are to the wall and just seem to pull it out of the bag on so many occasions. I was toward the other end of the field and I thought the ball was just wide but Rapps were adamant it was over. Any other posters close to the free taker see if it was over or not? Fethard probably deserved to win on the day as I felt they were the better side.
Sad to see the Rapps going down and worrying for the town for hurling in general. The rapps 2nd team constantly down at the bottom of junior last couple of years and when Kevin Foley and Liam Ryan go from their First team be hard to see them getting back to the heights of 5 or 6 years ago. Lot of other influences with soccer and rugby big in the town might draw players away. I would have the same fear for the Harriers when Chin hangs up his boots. Hurling in New ross is nearly dead. Luckily Gorey still competitive in Senior. I can still remember a time when country clubs had to amalgamate at underage as the towns teams were so strong. How times have changed." The towns demise is a lot to do with families moving to outskirts of towns . The growtb of clubs like martins glynn shels ballyhogue monageer castletown kilanerin . Mjvnv slightly further out annnes oylgate looking through underage they all ae competing stbhigher levels consistently than befire . Thnk numbers playing higher than ever just read around differently. Urban areas less than before semi rural more rural around the same.
Towns carcgement has nt grown less density smaller famlies and diveres diaspora
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 700 - 14/09/2026 10:17:24
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Lots of games over the weekend and no end of drama as proven on Friday night with Fethard overcoming Rapps. The Rapps Junior team pulled it out of the bag in the Junior relegation final and sent Ballyhogue back down to Junior A. Marshalstown straight back down to Junior also. Rathnure had a very comprehensive (and prob surprising) win over Cloughbawn to retain their Junior A status. You'd feel slightly sorry for Rapps as they did seem to be building this year but it's a long road back in what is a very tough and competitive intermediate grade.
In the Inter preliminaries, Crannford had a big win over Castletown to setup a Q/F game against Cloughbawn while Davidstown seem to be finding some form and have knocked Bunclody out.
I don't think there were any surprises in the Senior with Annes and Harriers winning. It does leave a very interesting Q/F clash between Rathnure V St Annes and it will be a very tight affair. Harriers have no easy task with the Shels but will be glad to be there.
Shels V Harriers
Rathnure V St Annes
St Martins V Ferns
Oylegate V Gorey
In theory you'd expect the semi finalists to be Shels / Rathnure / Martins / Gorey .. but theory never works :-)
MyOhMi (Wexford) - Posts: 365 - 14/09/2026 10:26:28
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I enjoyed the games I got to see over the weekend, clubber showing most of the intermediate and senior games is great. One thing it showed me as when there is something on the line, the games seem to bit more bite, hence why I'd like to see more jeopardy in the main league stage of the championship, too many games just drift by for 60 minutes, 3 groups of 4 might allow that, more excitement.
Agree with above poster on the semis finalists, hard to see past Gorey, Shels, Martins and Rathnure. For a Wexford GAA perspective would love to see Harriers get to a semi or final, would make great excitement for the town. Real pity about the Rapparees but as a poster stated above, lot of new families in the towns who aren't traditional gaa people and there are lots of other sports now to choose from. Most of the new homes that are sold are mostly to commuters from Dublin and again as pointed out above, the villages outside towns are picking up the more traditional GAA people as they move out.
alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 617 - 14/09/2026 13:37:07
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Replying To Formertownie: "The towns demise is a lot to do with families moving to outskirts of towns . The growtb of clubs like martins glynn shels ballyhogue monageer castletown kilanerin . Mjvnv slightly further out annnes oylgate looking through underage they all ae competing stbhigher levels consistently than befire . Thnk numbers playing higher than ever just read around differently. Urban areas less than before semi rural more rural around the same.
Towns carcgement has nt grown less density smaller famlies and diveres diaspora" Ballyhogue, Oylegate and Annes dont have huge numbers overall. Monageer either.
Shels, Barntown, Gorey, Castletown and Martins would have higher numbers OK, but Harriers have big numbers at lower age groups too.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20696 - 14/09/2026 15:32:40
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Replying To Viking66: "Ballyhogue, Oylegate and Annes dont have huge numbers overall. Monageer either.
Shels, Barntown, Gorey, Castletown and Martins would have higher numbers OK, but Harriers have big numbers at lower age groups too." Not sure I would agree with you there, Viking. Having seen a number of those underage teams in action, they all seem to have big numbers.
Monageer have big numbers, Ballyhogue also seem to have very good numbers, and Oylegate as well. They are all big catchment areas.
Monageer-Boolavogue, for example, is a very large area when you include Monageer, Boolavogue and The Harrow, stretching from the edge of The Ballagh nearly as far as Ferns. Ballyhogue is also a large catchment area when you include areas nearly as far as Kilurin, as well as Bree and Galbally.
The villages themselves might be small, but the catchment areas are quite large and would encompass a lot of houses and families.
alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 617 - 14/09/2026 16:23:18
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Replying To alwaysasub: "Not sure I would agree with you there, Viking. Having seen a number of those underage teams in action, they all seem to have big numbers.
Monageer have big numbers, Ballyhogue also seem to have very good numbers, and Oylegate as well. They are all big catchment areas.
Monageer-Boolavogue, for example, is a very large area when you include Monageer, Boolavogue and The Harrow, stretching from the edge of The Ballagh nearly as far as Ferns. Ballyhogue is also a large catchment area when you include areas nearly as far as Kilurin, as well as Bree and Galbally.
The villages themselves might be small, but the catchment areas are quite large and would encompass a lot of houses and families." Ballyhogue had only 21 or 22 players at u14 last year. We played Monageer at u14 last year and they only had 19 I think togged out . Oylegate had around 20 togged out for their u14 cup quarterfinal last Saturday, some of whom might have been u12. Shels, Castletown and Barntown had up around 40 or 50 at u12 year before last, and Martins had 38.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20696 - 14/09/2026 16:38:24
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Replying To alwaysasub: "Not sure I would agree with you there, Viking. Having seen a number of those underage teams in action, they all seem to have big numbers.
Monageer have big numbers, Ballyhogue also seem to have very good numbers, and Oylegate as well. They are all big catchment areas.
Monageer-Boolavogue, for example, is a very large area when you include Monageer, Boolavogue and The Harrow, stretching from the edge of The Ballagh nearly as far as Ferns. Ballyhogue is also a large catchment area when you include areas nearly as far as Kilurin, as well as Bree and Galbally.
The villages themselves might be small, but the catchment areas are quite large and would encompass a lot of houses and families." Think Annes only had 5 or 6 u13s this year
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20696 - 14/09/2026 16:39:07
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Replying To Viking66: "Think Annes only had 5 or 6 u13s this year" I know in our own club, and most smaller clubs, would have similar if not smaller numbers. In our own club, at u14s most of the players come from 13 and U12s. I would say most clubs would have those numbers bar the big ones Shels, Martins etc. As I said I wouldnt be calling them small clubs, Monageer has three adult teams, Annes three adult teams.
alwaysasub (Wexford) - Posts: 617 - 14/09/2026 16:52:11
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Replying To WexMurph: "Was in Wexford park today think I seen Derek Mcgrath in the crowd which is a good sign he's down watching games. Two high scoring games Harriers played a lot better than the last day out I seen them they were well on top in the first half up by 8 at one stage I think couple of lapses allowed Oulart back into it. They got over the line in the end. Oularts full forward line looked like they could get something every time the ball went in. Hopefully they bring through more youth but they might struggle for the next couple of years. Don't know if Chin is injured but he seems to be struggling a bit but still manages to get good scores hope he's not too bad if he is. Glynn and Anne's was decent enough think Glynn have improved overall this year have brought the likes of Colin carley. Dee o Keefe was very good again and Mikey Fogarty held the ball up well. That's three teams from the same group after winning all the knockout games this weekend." Was in park also,thought the harriers v oulart was very poor game!!! I thought harriers would beat oulart fairly easy,considering I felt oulart and fethard and barntown were the 3 I thought could be relegated,harriers played ok in the first half went up by 7 or 8 and looked comfortable without hurling well,then oulart started to lord ball into full forward line when they had wind in second half and looked like they would score every time,i must say the harriers goal man made some great saves also,the harriers full back line looked really poor especially in the air!! Oulart plugged away and were the better team in the second half but harriers had just about enough in the end with chin slotting a couple of free to get them over the line!!! No real stand out player on show chin and richie lawlor were very poor considering they are county men!!
Annes and glynn a much more enjoyable game to look at,end to end stuff some lovely scores and passages of play,it was tight enough game till micky fogarty got the flick in for goal,the annes just saw it out after that!!! Glynn will be delighted with the year lots of young lads that look promising and could develope!! The annes as ever solid all over the field Rochfords and Doyle centre back dee mog and Kennedy very good and a brilliant goalman too!!!
theboys (Wexford) - Posts: 310 - 14/09/2026 17:00:02
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Replying To Viking66: "Ballyhogue, Oylegate and Annes dont have huge numbers overall. Monageer either.
Shels, Barntown, Gorey, Castletown and Martins would have higher numbers OK, but Harriers have big numbers at lower age groups too." They have a lot more than they used to have i m just stating kniwn facts thata had a huge impact on the towns clubs . Cushionstown also benefitted .
Having big numbers does nt guarantee success . . Used to be huge drop off in towns thats npw affecting those clubs too .
It took the martins years to finally get the benefits shels have had higha snd lows . Even at present there 16s snd 18s have lost big numbers. Glynn seem to get to minor then fall off . Hard to explain how so many good minor teams could be 7 or 8 contested minor finals it has not transfered to adult teams knocked out of hurling nd relegation final in football .
Kilanerin and castletown making progress in both codes although seems to be dlihht dtop off on last couple yesrs wmefen befire the split eith tara rocjs . Oylgate the same the annes in transition bzt have done god teans coming through.
Where as harriers, rapps/stars even naomh eanna are nt consistently in top grade underage finals any more
They all might have good numbers underage but from what i hear the drop off is greatrr than ever and at a younger age than ever before . Imo i just think its mostly to fo with the changing of the diaspora.
Add in with other sports offering more chances of aprofessional dream whether its achievable or ot it's a dream . Teans on town outskirts of karge signs are also begining to see that too now .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 700 - 14/09/2026 17:07:07
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Replying To alwaysasub: "I know in our own club, and most smaller clubs, would have similar if not smaller numbers. In our own club, at u14s most of the players come from 13 and U12s. I would say most clubs would have those numbers bar the big ones Shels, Martins etc. As I said I wouldnt be calling them small clubs, Monageer has three adult teams, Annes three adult teams." Oh I agree 100%, they arent small clubs numbers wise compared to many clubs in Ross District . But they are nothing like Shels, Barntown, Martins, Gorey or Castletown for underage playing numbers.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20696 - 14/09/2026 17:25:06
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Replying To Viking66: "Oh I agree 100%, they arent small clubs numbers wise compared to many clubs in Ross District . But they are nothing like Shels, Barntown, Martins, Gorey or Castletown for underage playing numbers." See Taghmon had a good win in the Relegation final Viking. They deserved to stay up in fairness. Was at Int A in Belfield yesterday with the Shels 2nd team put up a huge score against Rosslare. Shels were much the better team. Rosslare didn't have Lee Devereux who was a huge loss- They had 2 goal chances early but missed them but they were ran ragged by a younger team who had a good touch. Kielty for Shels is a serious good hurler. Surprised to see Clongeen going out against The Martins 2nd String- Clongeen got to Semi Final stage 2 years running and fancied them to go well,They were very poor yesterday, The Martins have plenty of decent young lads coming through. Their touch was top of the range, pinging the ball around. Con Mernagh was very good for them & Walsh at Centre back. Was that our County U20 Manager that was with Clongeen or someone else?? Some Gleason fella with them as well. But The Martins prize is to play what looks like the Favourites Gusserane. Shels & Cushinstown will be tight, wonder will we see Sean O Brien making his Adult debut- don't think he has played yet.
Fethard and Rapps was some game Friday evening, easily the best game I've seen this year. Cian Byrne is a class act, helped by his brother Cillian who got the 2 important scores at the end. Eoin Whelan was excellent in the forwards and adds a bit of Physicality to their forward line. Richie Waters went very well on Kevin Foley and kept him quiet. Fethard has put down The Starlights last year and the Rapperees this year. Anyone know when their teams weren't Senior in the past??
Spuds&GAA (Wexford) - Posts: 46 - 15/09/2026 00:01:43
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Replying To camánouttathat: "I remember reading an article about the newly promoted sides in each grade after round 4. Played 20; won 0; drew 2 lost 18.
Funny that only 2 of the 5 sides ended up relegated Ballyhogue and Marshallstown and I would have backed Ballyhogue to win their relegation final.
Went in to watch Rathnure and Cloughbawn as thought the rivalry of the 2 parishes might make for intriguing viewing. How wrong I was. Rathnure could have beaten Cloughbawn by a lot more and wasted at least 3 great goal opportunities. Like another poster said testament to them for having 3 teams over Junior B grade.
Don't know what to make of Rapps and Fethard. Fethard again showing what they can do when they're backs are to the wall and just seem to pull it out of the bag on so many occasions. I was toward the other end of the field and I thought the ball was just wide but Rapps were adamant it was over. Any other posters close to the free taker see if it was over or not? Fethard probably deserved to win on the day as I felt they were the better side.
Sad to see the Rapps going down and worrying for the town for hurling in general. The rapps 2nd team constantly down at the bottom of junior last couple of years and when Kevin Foley and Liam Ryan go from their First team be hard to see them getting back to the heights of 5 or 6 years ago. Lot of other influences with soccer and rugby big in the town might draw players away. I would have the same fear for the Harriers when Chin hangs up his boots. Hurling in New ross is nearly dead. Luckily Gorey still competitive in Senior. I can still remember a time when country clubs had to amalgamate at underage as the towns teams were so strong. How times have changed." Been a long time since hurling in New Ross was competitive! Shoulder to the wheel is the only solution to improve participation in the towns in the county. The % of the county's population within the four towns is only going to continue to increase so that has to be where focus is put. Gorey still competitive for sure but not sure another Conor Mac on the horizon there. Might be extending their borders again to rope in a couple more!
Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 603 - 15/09/2026 00:09:36
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Replying To Formertownie: "The towns demise is a lot to do with families moving to outskirts of towns . The growtb of clubs like martins glynn shels ballyhogue monageer castletown kilanerin . Mjvnv slightly further out annnes oylgate looking through underage they all ae competing stbhigher levels consistently than befire . Thnk numbers playing higher than ever just read around differently. Urban areas less than before semi rural more rural around the same.
Towns carcgement has nt grown less density smaller famlies and diveres diaspora" While there is some truth in parts of this, the demise and rise of the other clubs has little to do with the movement of families from the town to the countryside. 30yrs ago we won al All Ireland. The 12 teams in the senior championship that year were
Duffry Rovers
Buffers Alley
Fethard
St Martins
Crossabeg
Cloughbawn
GlynnBarntown
Bunclody
Raps
Rathnure
Harriers
Oylgate
Bar the Shels all the teams that existed around the town then where Senior. Crossabeg dropped down last year as well. However look what has happened in those clubs since then in terms of facilities and playing grounds versus what the town teams have to offer. Then if you take the Shels, if you go down through the team you will see its a connection to the farming community that has the biggest impact. The GAA has become middle class and our towns have never had the prosperity that would classify them as such.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2234 - 15/09/2026 06:03:47
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Replying To zinny: "While there is some truth in parts of this, the demise and rise of the other clubs has little to do with the movement of families from the town to the countryside. 30yrs ago we won al All Ireland. The 12 teams in the senior championship that year were
Duffry Rovers
Buffers Alley
Fethard
St Martins
Crossabeg
Cloughbawn
GlynnBarntown
Bunclody
Raps
Rathnure
Harriers
Oylgate
Bar the Shels all the teams that existed around the town then where Senior. Crossabeg dropped down last year as well. However look what has happened in those clubs since then in terms of facilities and playing grounds versus what the town teams have to offer. Then if you take the Shels, if you go down through the team you will see its a connection to the farming community that has the biggest impact. The GAA has become middle class and our towns have never had the prosperity that would classify them as such." People relocating has absolutely had an impact on the harriers.
The Carley's are a maudlintown family for example.
Shells, barntown and Martin's have all benefited from migration and expansion.
White rock hill is incredibly densely populated and that's Martin's catchment.
It doesn't help that clonard don't have a gpo in coolcotts but won't let us in there either. It's the largest school in the town.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4671 - 15/09/2026 10:57:55
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Replying To Spuds&GAA: "See Taghmon had a good win in the Relegation final Viking. They deserved to stay up in fairness. Was at Int A in Belfield yesterday with the Shels 2nd team put up a huge score against Rosslare. Shels were much the better team. Rosslare didn't have Lee Devereux who was a huge loss- They had 2 goal chances early but missed them but they were ran ragged by a younger team who had a good touch. Kielty for Shels is a serious good hurler. Surprised to see Clongeen going out against The Martins 2nd String- Clongeen got to Semi Final stage 2 years running and fancied them to go well,They were very poor yesterday, The Martins have plenty of decent young lads coming through. Their touch was top of the range, pinging the ball around. Con Mernagh was very good for them & Walsh at Centre back. Was that our County U20 Manager that was with Clongeen or someone else?? Some Gleason fella with them as well. But The Martins prize is to play what looks like the Favourites Gusserane. Shels & Cushinstown will be tight, wonder will we see Sean O Brien making his Adult debut- don't think he has played yet.
Fethard and Rapps was some game Friday evening, easily the best game I've seen this year. Cian Byrne is a class act, helped by his brother Cillian who got the 2 important scores at the end. Eoin Whelan was excellent in the forwards and adds a bit of Physicality to their forward line. Richie Waters went very well on Kevin Foley and kept him quiet. Fethard has put down The Starlights last year and the Rapperees this year. Anyone know when their teams weren't Senior in the past??" SOB played some games, definitely vs Duffry anyway.
Fallout2 (Wexford) - Posts: 16 - 15/09/2026 11:18:45
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Replying To Spuds&GAA: "See Taghmon had a good win in the Relegation final Viking. They deserved to stay up in fairness. Was at Int A in Belfield yesterday with the Shels 2nd team put up a huge score against Rosslare. Shels were much the better team. Rosslare didn't have Lee Devereux who was a huge loss- They had 2 goal chances early but missed them but they were ran ragged by a younger team who had a good touch. Kielty for Shels is a serious good hurler. Surprised to see Clongeen going out against The Martins 2nd String- Clongeen got to Semi Final stage 2 years running and fancied them to go well,They were very poor yesterday, The Martins have plenty of decent young lads coming through. Their touch was top of the range, pinging the ball around. Con Mernagh was very good for them & Walsh at Centre back. Was that our County U20 Manager that was with Clongeen or someone else?? Some Gleason fella with them as well. But The Martins prize is to play what looks like the Favourites Gusserane. Shels & Cushinstown will be tight, wonder will we see Sean O Brien making his Adult debut- don't think he has played yet.
Fethard and Rapps was some game Friday evening, easily the best game I've seen this year. Cian Byrne is a class act, helped by his brother Cillian who got the 2 important scores at the end. Eoin Whelan was excellent in the forwards and adds a bit of Physicality to their forward line. Richie Waters went very well on Kevin Foley and kept him quiet. Fethard has put down The Starlights last year and the Rapperees this year. Anyone know when their teams weren't Senior in the past??" Was a good win, Cathal Doyle was only 50% fit but had a game, scored 2-11 and only missed 2 shots at goals, 1 hit the post and 1 wide. All the lads battled well in fairness, Quigley and Kinsella were very good for Marshalstown.
Shels might win it out, they were the only team who played us off the Park, we were flattered only to lose by 11.
Conn Mernagh is an excellent prospect, was good for Good Counsel, has a good hand and a bit of height.
Sean O'Brien has played a little adult this year, but not much. Scored a goal a few weeks back. Cushinstown have a very good minor team this year and I think thats his priority.
Fethard have some very good young hurlers, they might surprise some people over the coming years.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20696 - 15/09/2026 11:52:09
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Replying To zinny: "While there is some truth in parts of this, the demise and rise of the other clubs has little to do with the movement of families from the town to the countryside. 30yrs ago we won al All Ireland. The 12 teams in the senior championship that year were
Duffry Rovers
Buffers Alley
Fethard
St Martins
Crossabeg
Cloughbawn
GlynnBarntown
Bunclody
Raps
Rathnure
Harriers
Oylgate
Bar the Shels all the teams that existed around the town then where Senior. Crossabeg dropped down last year as well. However look what has happened in those clubs since then in terms of facilities and playing grounds versus what the town teams have to offer. Then if you take the Shels, if you go down through the team you will see its a connection to the farming community that has the biggest impact. The GAA has become middle class and our towns have never had the prosperity that would classify them as such." Thats a good point Zinny
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20696 - 15/09/2026 11:53:06
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Replying To zinny: "While there is some truth in parts of this, the demise and rise of the other clubs has little to do with the movement of families from the town to the countryside. 30yrs ago we won al All Ireland. The 12 teams in the senior championship that year were
Duffry Rovers
Buffers Alley
Fethard
St Martins
Crossabeg
Cloughbawn
GlynnBarntown
Bunclody
Raps
Rathnure
Harriers
Oylgate
Bar the Shels all the teams that existed around the town then where Senior. Crossabeg dropped down last year as well. However look what has happened in those clubs since then in terms of facilities and playing grounds versus what the town teams have to offer. Then if you take the Shels, if you go down through the team you will see its a connection to the farming community that has the biggest impact. The GAA has become middle class and our towns have never had the prosperity that would classify them as such." Ur right lot of the clubs senior then still are now.
My point was their numbers have grown not their senior status .
Secondly rather the families making up the clubs and the involvement of same are different people move to an outside club they are more likely to get involved in the community and town clubs have and always will have a struggle to get that same community spirit as there would nt be that same daily interaction through schools and neighbourhoods or local hubs like the local shop , post offfice , church , less primary schools etc due to being spread out more and less interaction . .
They just dint cross paths as often.
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 700 - 15/09/2026 12:59:52
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