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Wexford Hurling Thread

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "A key area of focus in Wexford has to be in the schools.
We're putting in lots of effort in clubs, development squads, etc but the only place where boys and girls are together 5 days a week is school. How many schools have a dedicated hurling wall say? What is the status of Hurling 365 in primary schools?
How many intra-schools lunch time leagues are there say? In St. Kieran's hurling is almost part of the curriculum.
St. Peters has a few retired Wexford players, what are they doing to lean in to this?
I know the answer to none of these, so I am asking. But Wexford schools have a desperate record at schools level.
Whether or not the combined colleges work, time will tell. But try it, try to do it better, and try to make it better again if there are kinks in the chain. Don't just do it for 1 year and turf it out. Give it a proper go and don't let "it won't work" be the vibe from the outset and everybody waiting to be The Bull from David McSavage "I knew it would fail".
Plan for it to work, have a plan for how to make it work, implement the plan, review and improve it. And give it a chance.
Its no surprise to me that the town clubs aren't doing well at underage, I would say if you drove around the towns at 5 o'clock any day you would not see hurling being played anywhere in the towns. The loss of green areas, etc in housing developments does not help here.
Regarding the weekend, how were Wexford so flat? We lost to a team destined for relegation one year and we were bull thick to get out the next weekend and beat the championship favourites. Where was the anger from the Kilkenny game? There was a reasonable crowd by the looks of TV yet the team never got them involved. I can't remember one save from the Dublin keeper, did we have a shot on goal? It was late here so I could have missed it.
Anyone know if Offaly match will be on TV?"
Don't think the Offaly game will be on tv.

We have loads of issues in our secondary schools. Lack of coaching contacts being the primary one outside of GCC. Lack of 15 on 15 in school games being another. Our 2nd best school currently, St Mary's CBS Enniscorthy dont even have any pitches of their own. Only have a smallish Astro. St Peters Board of Governors are totally disinterested in GAA, and the management there keep putting their younger teams in the B Championships, hardly good for development. They actually do no full length training sessions in schooltime, which is shocking when you consider its dark after school for half the school year. As regards us putting work into the schools the big problem is they dont want outside "interference ". The fact that one of the main GAA schools has a pathetic record in GAA in recent years doesn't seem to bother them at all. You'd feel sorry for Rory Jacob and others putting in all the time recruiting good young hurlers from national school when hes not allowed to coach them in schooltime, as happens in Counsel, or as happens in the Kilkenny, Tipp, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway etc schools. And you'd also feel sorry for the boys themselves, they've been sold a pup really.

As regards Saturday there were very few moments in the first 3/4s to get the crowd going. No impressive scores, no big catches, no big hits, no big defensive moments, a complete lack of intensity. It was so so disappointing that way.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19766 - 11/05/2026 15:24:15    2672370

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Replying To Lockerroomboy:  "I chance jacko centre back, Lawlor in forwards, David codd has to start."
Jack centre back just wont happen. Codd hasnt been in the matchday 26 so he wont start anyway. I think the likes of James Byrne , Wickham and Jacko has to start and either Cian Molloy or Niall Murphy need to come in corner back. Confidence will be on the floor but its not beyond us to beat Offaly and bring our chances to the final day

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1080 - 11/05/2026 15:46:02    2672378

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Replying To Viking66:  "Don't think the Offaly game will be on tv.

We have loads of issues in our secondary schools. Lack of coaching contacts being the primary one outside of GCC. Lack of 15 on 15 in school games being another. Our 2nd best school currently, St Mary's CBS Enniscorthy dont even have any pitches of their own. Only have a smallish Astro. St Peters Board of Governors are totally disinterested in GAA, and the management there keep putting their younger teams in the B Championships, hardly good for development. They actually do no full length training sessions in schooltime, which is shocking when you consider its dark after school for half the school year. As regards us putting work into the schools the big problem is they dont want outside "interference ". The fact that one of the main GAA schools has a pathetic record in GAA in recent years doesn't seem to bother them at all. You'd feel sorry for Rory Jacob and others putting in all the time recruiting good young hurlers from national school when hes not allowed to coach them in schooltime, as happens in Counsel, or as happens in the Kilkenny, Tipp, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway etc schools. And you'd also feel sorry for the boys themselves, they've been sold a pup really.

As regards Saturday there were very few moments in the first 3/4s to get the crowd going. No impressive scores, no big catches, no big hits, no big defensive moments, a complete lack of intensity. It was so so disappointing that way."
As regards Saturday there were very few moments in the first 3/4s to get the crowd going. No impressive scores, no big catches, no big hits, no big defensive moments, a complete lack of intensity. It was so so disappointing that way.

Everything you said hear is so true I left Wexford Park on Saturday deflated, Im a proud Wexford man it was good to see the footballers win but Wexford hurling is my real passion. I was so disappointed at every aspect of our play . The crowd were mad to get behind the team as was seen with the close penalty calls and near the end when the crowd started to get behind the team. I don't mind losing to a better team but our play was so poor and we were so passive its beyond belief. I will go to Tullamore but its hard every week leaving these matches deflated with what we are seeing from our team.

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 1080 - 11/05/2026 16:15:55    2672394

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "I dont know the rules but Dublin have a north and south team so there is no reason why a county like Wexford cant have a North and South team too. It would probably be better given the amount of hurlers in the county."
Dublin has a much bigger population but it's also a much smaller area and has much better public transportation links

Going forward, Wexford should have three schools in Senior A each year (Peter's, Good Counsel, & Enniscorthy CBS), FCJ Bunclody will be Senior A next year, Dublin in comparison only has two schools in Senior A and that could drop to down to one some years as I don't think they even had a team in Junior A this year

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1304 - 11/05/2026 16:17:38    2672396

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Replying To Viking66:  "Don't think the Offaly game will be on tv.

We have loads of issues in our secondary schools. Lack of coaching contacts being the primary one outside of GCC. Lack of 15 on 15 in school games being another. Our 2nd best school currently, St Mary's CBS Enniscorthy dont even have any pitches of their own. Only have a smallish Astro. St Peters Board of Governors are totally disinterested in GAA, and the management there keep putting their younger teams in the B Championships, hardly good for development. They actually do no full length training sessions in schooltime, which is shocking when you consider its dark after school for half the school year. As regards us putting work into the schools the big problem is they dont want outside "interference ". The fact that one of the main GAA schools has a pathetic record in GAA in recent years doesn't seem to bother them at all. You'd feel sorry for Rory Jacob and others putting in all the time recruiting good young hurlers from national school when hes not allowed to coach them in schooltime, as happens in Counsel, or as happens in the Kilkenny, Tipp, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Galway etc schools. And you'd also feel sorry for the boys themselves, they've been sold a pup really.

As regards Saturday there were very few moments in the first 3/4s to get the crowd going. No impressive scores, no big catches, no big hits, no big defensive moments, a complete lack of intensity. It was so so disappointing that way."
I had heard a while back that Good Counsel do full training sessions at lunch and the teachers then stay back after school to teach those who might have missed out on a class when they were training, is that true?

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1304 - 11/05/2026 16:21:27    2672400

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "I dont know the rules but Dublin have a north and south team so there is no reason why a county like Wexford cant have a North and South team too. It would probably be better given the amount of hurlers in the county."
Thats true, but Im not sure we would have the numbers for 2 teams, based on our development squads. Approximately 2/3rds of our hurling development squads attend the 3 schools who hurl in Leinster A anyway.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19766 - 11/05/2026 16:25:29    2672401

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I had heard a while back that Good Counsel do full training sessions at lunch and the teachers then stay back after school to teach those who might have missed out on a class when they were training, is that true?"
No

WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 508 - 11/05/2026 16:46:29    2672410

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Replying To Viking66:  "Thats true, but Im not sure we would have the numbers for 2 teams, based on our development squads. Approximately 2/3rds of our hurling development squads attend the 3 schools who hurl in Leinster A anyway."
Fair enough but I presume most if not all schools in Wexford hurl and definitely have hurlers attending. That exposure might be just whats needed to uncover one or 2 more.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 436 - 11/05/2026 16:47:44    2672412

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Replying To Viking66:  "Thats true, but Im not sure we would have the numbers for 2 teams, based on our development squads. Approximately 2/3rds of our hurling development squads attend the 3 schools who hurl in Leinster A anyway."
Im a firm believer in the point of view that if you want to match and beat the best in class you need to match and exceed them in everything they do and more both on and off the pitch. Only then do you stand a chance of achieving your goal.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 436 - 11/05/2026 16:49:53    2672414

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "Im a firm believer in the point of view that if you want to match and beat the best in class you need to match and exceed them in everything they do and more both on and off the pitch. Only then do you stand a chance of achieving your goal."
You are spot on.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19766 - 11/05/2026 16:56:35    2672417

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I had heard a while back that Good Counsel do full training sessions at lunch and the teachers then stay back after school to teach those who might have missed out on a class when they were training, is that true?"
Not as far as I know. But the 1st years had a double PE lesson Thursdays, and a double Games lesson as the last 2 lessons on Friday. In the long term especially if you played hurling and/or football both those double lessons were hurling or football training. They also had training sessions, in house games and challenge games after school whenever it was light enough to do this.
Team sports are so beneficial when it comes to physical and mental health, teamwork, leadership, attitude towards work, etc etc. All important things for any teenagers development.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19766 - 11/05/2026 17:05:18    2672420

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Replying To WEXILE:  "Screeny could be out too, pulled his hammy.

In saying thagwe are without some of.our main attackers too in fairness"
Screeney was out yesterday, and his replacement Eoghan Cahill ended up hitting 0-15

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1560 - 11/05/2026 17:08:28    2672423

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I had heard a while back that Good Counsel do full training sessions at lunch and the teachers then stay back after school to teach those who might have missed out on a class when they were training, is that true?"
Not as far as I know. But the 1st years had a double PE lesson Thursdays, and a double Games lesson as the last 2 lessons on Friday. In the long term especially if you played hurling and/or football both those double lessons were hurling or football training. They also had training sessions, in house games and challenge games after school whenever it was light enough to do this.
Team sports are so beneficial when it comes to physical and mental health, teamwork, leadership, attitude towards work, etc etc. All important things for any teenagers development.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19766 - 11/05/2026 17:11:47    2672425

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "Fair enough but I presume most if not all schools in Wexford hurl and definitely have hurlers attending. That exposure might be just whats needed to uncover one or 2 more."
All the schools have hurling teams for sure. Some of our schools are very successful at Leinster B level, and some also down in C and D. We have schools winning South Leinster and Leinster titles every year.
Its A is the problem. We havent had a Wexford school win the Corn ui Dhuill since 2022, and it will probably be another year or 2 before they will be good enough to win another.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19766 - 11/05/2026 17:16:25    2672427

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Replying To Viking66:  "Thats true, but Im not sure we would have the numbers for 2 teams, based on our development squads. Approximately 2/3rds of our hurling development squads attend the 3 schools who hurl in Leinster A anyway."
This also raises the issue of whether we should expand the size of our development squads to be more in-line with Munster counties

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1304 - 11/05/2026 18:33:56    2672442

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Have started hearing some Wexford young people call hurls by their incorrect name "hurleys".

Hurleys! Jesus wept. Never thought I would see the day. What is happening to hurling in this county.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2592 - 11/05/2026 19:05:30    2672449

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "I had heard a while back that Good Counsel do full training sessions at lunch and the teachers then stay back after school to teach those who might have missed out on a class when they were training, is that true?"
I'd believe that training sessions at lunchtimes are feasible all right, and in fact, would suggest that every school should be doing it if they're not doing it already.

However - and no disrespect to any teachers who might frequent these threads! - I'd be amazed if teachers stayed back after school to put in unpaid hours teaching geography or history or anything else to lads who'd missed that class during actual school hours in order to do hurling training instead.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3689 - 11/05/2026 21:54:38    2672464

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "As regards Saturday there were very few moments in the first 3/4s to get the crowd going. No impressive scores, no big catches, no big hits, no big defensive moments, a complete lack of intensity. It was so so disappointing that way.

Everything you said hear is so true I left Wexford Park on Saturday deflated, Im a proud Wexford man it was good to see the footballers win but Wexford hurling is my real passion. I was so disappointed at every aspect of our play . The crowd were mad to get behind the team as was seen with the close penalty calls and near the end when the crowd started to get behind the team. I don't mind losing to a better team but our play was so poor and we were so passive its beyond belief. I will go to Tullamore but its hard every week leaving these matches deflated with what we are seeing from our team."
What crowd?? 2 empty terraces and a half empty stands

Goreylad1985 (Wexford) - Posts: 47 - 11/05/2026 21:54:46    2672465

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "This also raises the issue of whether we should expand the size of our development squads to be more in-line with Munster counties"
Ive been pushing that for years now.....

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19766 - 11/05/2026 23:02:47    2672470

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Replying To Afinestick96:  "The thing is a game like Saturday having the likes of Rory , Barry , Eoin Ryan and a fit Cian Molloy would have made an enormous difference to us"
We had the most of them in Parnell Park the previous year and very few performed that day either.

Timbertony (Wexford) - Posts: 580 - 12/05/2026 00:24:52    2672484

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