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Fair play to Shelmaliers always able to come out in the right side in close games. They went after Rathnure yesterday pressing like they do in the football Rathnure were caught in the headlights for long periods. Shelmaliers mightn't be the best technical team but they make up for it in other areas, 6 senior medals is some haul across both codes. Having your second team in Intermediate A has to be worth a few points, better training sessions, development of players etc.
WexMurph (Wexford) - Posts: 378 - 26/10/2026 17:53:33
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Fair play to Shels, suppose the fact they got knocked out in the football SFs helped them in the hurling, some of their players have won six Senior county titles across hurling and football and they've lost a few football finals as well so on average, they've probably made either a hurling or football final two out of three years for the last 12 years or so, might be closer to 3 in 4
They've been fighting on two fronts for a long time, a bit like Loughmore from Tipp in that way, hard to win the double against clubs who pretty much specialise in one code, I know they're probably seen as a very fit team with a running game who maybe aren't quite as technical as other teams but they'd be a good bit more technical if they were 90% hurling rather than 50% hurling, I don't think any Shels club member would be unhappy with their 3 hurling titles and 3 football titles since 2014, I'd say they'd prefer that to 6 titles in one code and no titles in the other
I think the dual issue is over-played, bigger issue is not doing enough GAA throughout the year and lads not doing enough outside of club sessions, Loughmore are a good example of that because the McGraths likely did a tonne of hurling outside of club sessions so the 50/50 split at the club probably made little difference
I'd say what has also helped the Shels is that for a long time, they've generally played in Premier or else the next division down at underage level, a lot of their players also have experience in underage squads, means they're able to bring through young players all the time without there being any real fall-off, had the likes of Josh Roche, Seán Denton, Paddy Connors, Cian Doyle, and Aaron Kinsella this year, keeping the team young helps with the speed of the team so they don't get too slow
Having a team towards Intermediate A is another big help, means their Senior team doesn't really have a tail and if they lose lads, they're better able to replace them than most other Senior clubs, helps drive competition for places too" Josh Roche was excellent yesterday.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 26/10/2026 17:56:07
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Replying To camánouttathat: "Congrats to the Shels on their win. Totally nullified Rathnure forwards especially Sean O Connor and Jack Redmond. The winning of the game was the last 10 minutes of the first half and the first 10 of the second half. Went 11 points up and missed 3 goal chances thought it was going to be an annihilation but then Rathnure came back and even though Shels deserved to win over the course of the game Rathnure could have stole it at the end of Whickham had scored that last goal chance. Shels went completely under the radar all year as all talk was about Rathnure and St Martins. Hope Shels kick on in the Leinster championship and represent Wexford well. We can do with a bit of good news Wexford hurling wise after the past year and maybe give Derek McGrath few more options to think about with his county panel.
Hats off to Davidstown aswell. Last minute puck of the ball the difference in a fairytale of a year for them. Interesting to see how cloughbawn go with Senior in both codes. Gusserane, Rathnure and Bannow all winning aswell and special mention to Gorey Junior Bs finally getting over the line after so many attempts." Thats a bit unfair on Redmond, he scored 1-2 from play and was the top scorer from play out of everyone on the pitch .
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 26/10/2026 19:56:04
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Replying To WexMurph: "Fair play to Shelmaliers always able to come out in the right side in close games. They went after Rathnure yesterday pressing like they do in the football Rathnure were caught in the headlights for long periods. Shelmaliers mightn't be the best technical team but they make up for it in other areas, 6 senior medals is some haul across both codes. Having your second team in Intermediate A has to be worth a few points, better training sessions, development of players etc." Oulart and St Martins second teams are in Intermediate A also.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 26/10/2026 19:57:24
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Replying To Viking66: "Oulart and St Martins second teams are in Intermediate A also." Rathnures second team will be Intermediate A next year too. So that will make 4. Hopefully none of them win it ;-)
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 26/10/2026 20:39:18
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Replying To Viking66: "Oulart and St Martins second teams are in Intermediate A also." Yes and now Rathnure, no coincidence there the teams competing at the latter end, for Oulart there older statesmen are still hurling away heard Rory Jacob saying there hoping to get a couple from that team for next year.
WexMurph (Wexford) - Posts: 378 - 26/10/2026 20:42:22
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Replying To WexMurph: "Yes and now Rathnure, no coincidence there the teams competing at the latter end, for Oulart there older statesmen are still hurling away heard Rory Jacob saying there hoping to get a couple from that team for next year." Martin Dempsey and Ben Harpur maybe?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 26/10/2026 23:07:45
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Replying To Viking66: "Thats a bit unfair on Redmond, he scored 1-2 from play and was the top scorer from play out of everyone on the pitch ." He was anonymous for large parts of the game. Got first point from play in the first few minutes of the game and got the goal in the last 5 minutes when he got on the end of a brilliant run from Higgins. Compared to how influential he normally is I thought the Shels defence got the matchups right and didn't let him get on any ball. Same with Sean O Connor got one point and that again was at the last few minutes of the Rathnure comeback. Compared to Banville and Hearne who ran the show on the other end
camánouttathat (Wexford) - Posts: 117 - 27/10/2026 07:49:14
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Fair play to Shels, suppose the fact they got knocked out in the football SFs helped them in the hurling, some of their players have won six Senior county titles across hurling and football and they've lost a few football finals as well so on average, they've probably made either a hurling or football final two out of three years for the last 12 years or so, might be closer to 3 in 4
They've been fighting on two fronts for a long time, a bit like Loughmore from Tipp in that way, hard to win the double against clubs who pretty much specialise in one code, I know they're probably seen as a very fit team with a running game who maybe aren't quite as technical as other teams but they'd be a good bit more technical if they were 90% hurling rather than 50% hurling, I don't think any Shels club member would be unhappy with their 3 hurling titles and 3 football titles since 2014, I'd say they'd prefer that to 6 titles in one code and no titles in the other
I think the dual issue is over-played, bigger issue is not doing enough GAA throughout the year and lads not doing enough outside of club sessions, Loughmore are a good example of that because the McGraths likely did a tonne of hurling outside of club sessions so the 50/50 split at the club probably made little difference
I'd say what has also helped the Shels is that for a long time, they've generally played in Premier or else the next division down at underage level, a lot of their players also have experience in underage squads, means they're able to bring through young players all the time without there being any real fall-off, had the likes of Josh Roche, Seán Denton, Paddy Connors, Cian Doyle, and Aaron Kinsella this year, keeping the team young helps with the speed of the team so they don't get too slow
Having a team towards Intermediate A is another big help, means their Senior team doesn't really have a tail and if they lose lads, they're better able to replace them than most other Senior clubs, helps drive competition for places too" Shels would be different to Loughmore, Loughmore give way more time to hurling than they do to football.
The McGraths are all great footballers but are out and out hurling men.
I would say St.Martins as a club would be more comparable to Loughmore.
Past hurler (None) - Posts: 1044 - 27/10/2026 09:52:44
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Replying To camánouttathat: "He was anonymous for large parts of the game. Got first point from play in the first few minutes of the game and got the goal in the last 5 minutes when he got on the end of a brilliant run from Higgins. Compared to how influential he normally is I thought the Shels defence got the matchups right and didn't let him get on any ball. Same with Sean O Connor got one point and that again was at the last few minutes of the Rathnure comeback. Compared to Banville and Hearne who ran the show on the other end" Shels stopped the good ball coming in for large parts of the game.
They worked like dogs out the pitch.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 27/10/2026 12:28:47
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Replying To camánouttathat: "He was anonymous for large parts of the game. Got first point from play in the first few minutes of the game and got the goal in the last 5 minutes when he got on the end of a brilliant run from Higgins. Compared to how influential he normally is I thought the Shels defence got the matchups right and didn't let him get on any ball. Same with Sean O Connor got one point and that again was at the last few minutes of the Rathnure comeback. Compared to Banville and Hearne who ran the show on the other end" Hearne Roche and Kinsella were all excellent.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 27/10/2026 12:29:39
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Replying To Past hurler: "Shels would be different to Loughmore, Loughmore give way more time to hurling than they do to football.
The McGraths are all great footballers but are out and out hurling men.
I would say St.Martins as a club would be more comparable to Loughmore." Fair point but I suppose my point is more so that if you want to improve the level of hurling in a club/school/county, you need lads hurling all the time, football isn't going to hold anyone back if they're doing a lot of hurling outside of club and school training sessions (And some clubs and schools don't do enough GAA training in the first place before we even get to the hurling vs football split)
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1597 - 27/10/2026 13:24:03
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Replying To beano: "Or maybe playing both codes helps? Shels destroyed Rathnure physically, the amount of times they turned the ball over at Rathnure's half-back line and surged into open ground was shocking. Had at least two goal chances cleared off the line. Their football stock told on a heavy day for hurling.
Our last Leinster winning Wexford team had plenty of lads who played both codes.
With Cloughbawn winning the double, Davidstown getting to two finals, Martin's getting to the final in their least perferred code and Shels perennial contenders in both codes, dual is the only way. Anyone who says any different is blaggarding." Its not just football and hurling but they are senior in Camogie and LGFA - I always say if the dad has played, the kids may play but if the mother has played the kids definitely will be playing.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2259 - 27/10/2026 15:05:29
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Replying To beano: "Or maybe playing both codes helps? Shels destroyed Rathnure physically, the amount of times they turned the ball over at Rathnure's half-back line and surged into open ground was shocking. Had at least two goal chances cleared off the line. Their football stock told on a heavy day for hurling.
Our last Leinster winning Wexford team had plenty of lads who played both codes.
With Cloughbawn winning the double, Davidstown getting to two finals, Martin's getting to the final in their least perferred code and Shels perennial contenders in both codes, dual is the only way. Anyone who says any different is blaggarding." I wouldn't agree with this. Rathnure turned over St Martins more in the semi final in a worse day for hurling than the game against the Shels. I would even say the football hindered the Martins more. If Shels were playing the football final would they have been as fresh last weekend? Probably not.
Also before the Martins last year only Rathnure,Oulart and Buffers Alley were winners in Leinster (none of them football inclined at all) and the Harriers back in the 80s the only other finalist,again a hurling club.
If you look at any of the dominant teams in Ireland in either code the past 10-15 years, Ballyhale, Ballygunner, St Thomas's, Na Piarsaigh, Corofin, St Brigids, Crossmaglen, Nemo Rangers they all focus on one code in particular and only a few of these dabble a little bit in the other. They are successful for a reason. Even Cuala who have been there with both codes only have 4 dual players, Kilmacud only have 2 dual players.
In an ideal world I would prefer to have a split season but not week after week as it was or you can only play one code
camánouttathat (Wexford) - Posts: 117 - 27/10/2026 20:30:38
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Replying To camánouttathat: "I wouldn't agree with this. Rathnure turned over St Martins more in the semi final in a worse day for hurling than the game against the Shels. I would even say the football hindered the Martins more. If Shels were playing the football final would they have been as fresh last weekend? Probably not.
Also before the Martins last year only Rathnure,Oulart and Buffers Alley were winners in Leinster (none of them football inclined at all) and the Harriers back in the 80s the only other finalist,again a hurling club.
If you look at any of the dominant teams in Ireland in either code the past 10-15 years, Ballyhale, Ballygunner, St Thomas's, Na Piarsaigh, Corofin, St Brigids, Crossmaglen, Nemo Rangers they all focus on one code in particular and only a few of these dabble a little bit in the other. They are successful for a reason. Even Cuala who have been there with both codes only have 4 dual players, Kilmacud only have 2 dual players.
In an ideal world I would prefer to have a split season but not week after week as it was or you can only play one code" Most of those clubs you name have relatively large numbers too though, especially at underage. A good few of Thomas's players and Corofins play the other code for different clubs. Ballygunnar, Nemo Rangers, NaP, Brigids all have 4 or more adult teams. Nemo Rangers have an adult hurling team.
Crossmaglen field 3 adult teams.
Ballyhale would be the only 2 team club, although they field an adult football team too.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 28/10/2026 09:21:42
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Replying To camánouttathat: "I wouldn't agree with this. Rathnure turned over St Martins more in the semi final in a worse day for hurling than the game against the Shels. I would even say the football hindered the Martins more. If Shels were playing the football final would they have been as fresh last weekend? Probably not.
Also before the Martins last year only Rathnure,Oulart and Buffers Alley were winners in Leinster (none of them football inclined at all) and the Harriers back in the 80s the only other finalist,again a hurling club.
If you look at any of the dominant teams in Ireland in either code the past 10-15 years, Ballyhale, Ballygunner, St Thomas's, Na Piarsaigh, Corofin, St Brigids, Crossmaglen, Nemo Rangers they all focus on one code in particular and only a few of these dabble a little bit in the other. They are successful for a reason. Even Cuala who have been there with both codes only have 4 dual players, Kilmacud only have 2 dual players.
In an ideal world I would prefer to have a split season but not week after week as it was or you can only play one code" Rathnure contested a senior football final back in their glory days (when they won the bulk of their titles between the 60s and 80s (eleven of the 20)) and Buffers Alley played more high level football during their golden era too compared to now. Oulart are the only exception.
beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1574 - 28/10/2026 17:45:02
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Replying To beano: "Rathnure contested a senior football final back in their glory days (when they won the bulk of their titles between the 60s and 80s (eleven of the 20)) and Buffers Alley played more high level football during their golden era too compared to now. Oulart are the only exception." Rathnure have reached Senior Football finals and won a Senior Football title. These during a period that they won Senior Hurling titles.
Buffers Alley have been Senior before also, they have won 2 Intermediate Football titles, one of which they won the same year they won the SI club title. The other they won the year before they won 2 Senior Hurling titles in a row.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20911 - 28/10/2026 18:45:20
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Replying To camánouttathat: "I wouldn't agree with this. Rathnure turned over St Martins more in the semi final in a worse day for hurling than the game against the Shels. I would even say the football hindered the Martins more. If Shels were playing the football final would they have been as fresh last weekend? Probably not.
Also before the Martins last year only Rathnure,Oulart and Buffers Alley were winners in Leinster (none of them football inclined at all) and the Harriers back in the 80s the only other finalist,again a hurling club.
If you look at any of the dominant teams in Ireland in either code the past 10-15 years, Ballyhale, Ballygunner, St Thomas's, Na Piarsaigh, Corofin, St Brigids, Crossmaglen, Nemo Rangers they all focus on one code in particular and only a few of these dabble a little bit in the other. They are successful for a reason. Even Cuala who have been there with both codes only have 4 dual players, Kilmacud only have 2 dual players.
In an ideal world I would prefer to have a split season but not week after week as it was or you can only play one code" I would agree it is harder to win both in the one year in the current format. The Anne's were the last to do it. But that said there was only a puck or a kick of a ball from the same two teams being in the final of both. The reality is Wexford has always been a dual code for 85% perhaps of the players and all of them want to keep it that way. Its the clubs job to provide pathways for their players by being a dual code it ensures more options are open. With the shels it has allowed players to focus at county level on one code and then come back to mix that experience with the other code at club level, that is a massive benefit.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2259 - 29/10/2026 11:31:36
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