National Forum

Wexford Hurling 2025

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Magpie2:  "That's true viking but in the past Mac was double marked but we simply didn't take advantage of the spare man.
Hopefully Saturday will be different. We really need all the front six to be firing on all cylinders.
Fading out for periods in the game could be costly.
We have failed in recent years to get over the line against the Dubs. Small margins yes so from a wexford point of view let's hope history doesn't repeat itself once again."
I'm expecting it to be close again. As you say it's the team that does better on the small margins that will win. That means being more relaxed pre throwin and hitting the ground running for a start. Less poor decisions and bad hurling when working the ball short out of defense, less poor shot selection and bad wides. Dublin are very good at all those things. We will have to be too. And we will have to match the fight they will bring.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15453 - 23/04/2025 09:53:18    2603805

Link

Just a comment on the importance of parents compared to coaches in the development of young players….

Yes, the best hurlers are going to be those who who hurl at home and who are encouraged to do so by their parents but the problem here is that if the County Board want to improve hurling in Wexford, imploring parents to do this should hardly be your #1 strategy, the County Board can't really control parenting decisions

It's easier in KK where they have a very strong hurling culture but you have to build that culture in the first place and that's the hard part. What the County Board can control is coaches, development squads, and underage structures/competitions

A lot of people in Wexford like hurling but I don't think enough love hurling in say a way KK people do. The only way I can see a change in parenting culture in Wexford is if the Senior team is successful; the problem here is that a lack of culture makes the team less likely to be successful, it's a bit of a vicious circle

TLDR: Culture is more important than coaches but County Board can't only control coaches, not parents; need to focus on what we can control rather than worrying about what we can't

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 444 - 23/04/2025 10:59:05    2603817

Link

Replying To Afinestick96:  "See conflicting information saying Parnell Park holds only 7000 and also 8500. Either way it should be a sell out. Hopefully we get at least half of the crowd it should be a great atmosphere Saturday"
Other places online - including a Facebook page for Parnell Park itself - claim a capacity of 13,499.

I doubt it ever held that many, or not for a long time now anyway. And even if it did, wonder why they couldn't squeeze one more in somewhere, to make it a nice round number!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2819 - 23/04/2025 11:04:47    2603818

Link

Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Just a comment on the importance of parents compared to coaches in the development of young players….

Yes, the best hurlers are going to be those who who hurl at home and who are encouraged to do so by their parents but the problem here is that if the County Board want to improve hurling in Wexford, imploring parents to do this should hardly be your #1 strategy, the County Board can't really control parenting decisions

It's easier in KK where they have a very strong hurling culture but you have to build that culture in the first place and that's the hard part. What the County Board can control is coaches, development squads, and underage structures/competitions

A lot of people in Wexford like hurling but I don't think enough love hurling in say a way KK people do. The only way I can see a change in parenting culture in Wexford is if the Senior team is successful; the problem here is that a lack of culture makes the team less likely to be successful, it's a bit of a vicious circle

TLDR: Culture is more important than coaches but County Board can't only control coaches, not parents; need to focus on what we can control rather than worrying about what we can't"
In fairness the amount of help, courses and other tools to help our volunteer coaches become better coaches has grown exponentially over the last few years. But just as our decline since the 60s happened gradually, our rise, well hopefully a rise, will also be gradual, and will only happen if everyone keeps trying.
Just waiting around for a golden generation to be born within a few years of eachother, which was pretty much the approach during the 1st 130 odd years of Wexford GAAs history, won't cut it these days, as if the right structures aren't in place even if said generation does happen along there will be no pathway to success for them.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15453 - 23/04/2025 11:17:44    2603822

Link

Replying To Past hurler:  "Lads does Chin have a day job or is he basically a professional full time hurler?

I remember an article back in 2018 saying he quit his day job as a barber and was at the hurling full time to get the best out of himself."
He works full time in a construction company in town

ChinCanHurl (Wexford) - Posts: 302 - 23/04/2025 11:20:41    2603825

Link

Replying To ElGranSenor:  "Just a comment on the importance of parents compared to coaches in the development of young players….

Yes, the best hurlers are going to be those who who hurl at home and who are encouraged to do so by their parents but the problem here is that if the County Board want to improve hurling in Wexford, imploring parents to do this should hardly be your #1 strategy, the County Board can't really control parenting decisions

It's easier in KK where they have a very strong hurling culture but you have to build that culture in the first place and that's the hard part. What the County Board can control is coaches, development squads, and underage structures/competitions

A lot of people in Wexford like hurling but I don't think enough love hurling in say a way KK people do. The only way I can see a change in parenting culture in Wexford is if the Senior team is successful; the problem here is that a lack of culture makes the team less likely to be successful, it's a bit of a vicious circle

TLDR: Culture is more important than coaches but County Board can't only control coaches, not parents; need to focus on what we can control rather than worrying about what we can't"
This and Exile post above are absolute fact. My father coached teams for years and parents complaining about why young Johnny isn't playing and the hurl not leaving the boot of the car.
Parents are the number 1 driver of culture in their children. Kilkenny have massive culture and drive across the county so they feel no barrier to success is insurmountable.
Clare on Sunday, they were 12 down at half time (and I went to bed because it was late) and yet weren't beaten. In Wexford, there is a lack of that never say die attitude right across the board on and off the pitch. Fans in Wexford don't drive the team on, we just react to the pitch and often meekly. Our County Board are weak and don't stick up for ourselves and create a siege mentality which Brian Lohan and Clare etc would hang their hat on. Last Summer was the optimal time to say "We are hosting Feile, no way are we playing that match".
Unless things have changed since I left, and I doubt it, I feel we lack passion and a chip on our shoulder right across the county. Stop trying to be loved by everybody and start sticking up for ourselves. Tell people what they don't want to hear.
Structures are well and good but the best hurlers are made in the back garden.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1814 - 23/04/2025 11:33:51    2603832

Link

Replying To Magpie2:  "The two Foley brothers are constantly travelling and that's fair enough. No point talking about them as potential Wexford players anymore.
They are entitled to travel all they want.
Let's concentrate on players we have that are committed."
There is a real vibe off that post. Both of them gave plenty of service to Wexford. Paudie in particular. They are young lads expanding their horizons and seeing another side of life. Good on them. Hurling is not the be all and end all.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1814 - 23/04/2025 11:37:06    2603834

Link

Replying To StoreysTash:  "There is a real vibe off that post. Both of them gave plenty of service to Wexford. Paudie in particular. They are young lads expanding their horizons and seeing another side of life. Good on them. Hurling is not the be all and end all."
It would be great to have the two lads. We miss Oisin in particular I think as we lack scoring forwards outside Rory and Chin. They are right to travel the world if thats what they want when they are young is their lives. As much as we love Wexford hurling there is more to life too. Hopefully we see both lads back in the purple and gold when they are ready to come home!

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 521 - 23/04/2025 11:52:35    2603836

Link

Replying To Afinestick96:  "It would be great to have the two lads. We miss Oisin in particular I think as we lack scoring forwards outside Rory and Chin. They are right to travel the world if thats what they want when they are young is their lives. As much as we love Wexford hurling there is more to life too. Hopefully we see both lads back in the purple and gold when they are ready to come home!"
I think Wexford miss Paudie physicality in the half back line more but both are a loss to Wexford, no doubt about that.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1317 - 23/04/2025 12:17:05    2603843

Link

Replying To StoreysTash:  "This and Exile post above are absolute fact. My father coached teams for years and parents complaining about why young Johnny isn't playing and the hurl not leaving the boot of the car.
Parents are the number 1 driver of culture in their children. Kilkenny have massive culture and drive across the county so they feel no barrier to success is insurmountable.
Clare on Sunday, they were 12 down at half time (and I went to bed because it was late) and yet weren't beaten. In Wexford, there is a lack of that never say die attitude right across the board on and off the pitch. Fans in Wexford don't drive the team on, we just react to the pitch and often meekly. Our County Board are weak and don't stick up for ourselves and create a siege mentality which Brian Lohan and Clare etc would hang their hat on. Last Summer was the optimal time to say "We are hosting Feile, no way are we playing that match".
Unless things have changed since I left, and I doubt it, I feel we lack passion and a chip on our shoulder right across the county. Stop trying to be loved by everybody and start sticking up for ourselves. Tell people what they don't want to hear.
Structures are well and good but the best hurlers are made in the back garden."
Counties and supporters react to success or a sign of it. In Munster, the grounds are full because they all belive they could win something. And a good game and atmosphere is guaranteed.
In Leinster, most of the games are fairly tedious and lack atmosphere. Across the province. The long distances between counties does not help. Like, The Nell is 2 hours for most Wexford people allowing for Saturday traffic. Galway in Kilkenny on Easter Saturday, I could see why people did not travel.
These games need to be Saturday night or Sunday games. Saturday afternoon does not help the appeal of the fixtures at all, its like "get them played and over with" rather than an occasion.
But even marketing the games. If you were driving through Wexford, how would you have known there was a Wexford match on? Could Liam Griffin, a man synonymous with complaining about promoting the game, put a bill board at Ferrycarrig listing the Wexford games each weekend through the season? You might get a few hundred casuals or those wanting to see a match. Even the Wexford soccer team have when their games are on next.
I always say the same in Dublin city, instead of 40k empty seats for a Leinster Final where is the billboard at O'Connell Bridge saying "Hurling, Croke Park, Sunday, 4pm, tickets gaa.ie"
Wexford and Leinster need to promote the games better, particularly when the product does not sell itself.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1317 - 23/04/2025 12:25:08    2603847

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "Other places online - including a Facebook page for Parnell Park itself - claim a capacity of 13,499.

I doubt it ever held that many, or not for a long time now anyway. And even if it did, wonder why they couldn't squeeze one more in somewhere, to make it a nice round number!"
The Nell with 13.5k, and I have been there with it very busy with a big crowd, has death trap written all over it.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1317 - 23/04/2025 12:29:43    2603850

Link

Congratulations to Dooley on his achievement of 100 appearances for the county on Saturday coming!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15453 - 23/04/2025 13:04:53    2603856

Link

Replying To StoreysTash:  "There is a real vibe off that post. Both of them gave plenty of service to Wexford. Paudie in particular. They are young lads expanding their horizons and seeing another side of life. Good on them. Hurling is not the be all and end all."
They " GAVE " plenty of service to Wexford is 100% correct. That is in the distant past and we can't go on talking about them on a regular basis.
They made their choice and that's okay.
They are entitled to travel all they want. They are not contracted to the county board or Wexford hurling team. When they do decide to come home maybe or maybe not they might decide to get involved with the senior squad again.
At the moment there are lads bursting their gut to make the first 15. They are the guys all the focus should be on. They have made the sacrifice to give their all to Wexford hurling. Some will not make the grade but they are willing to give the required commitment. That means very tough training, strict diet, social life suspended for lengthy periods, travelling from work or college 3 or 4 times a week, risking serious injury every time they train or play. Their whole lives are put on hold.
Why do they do all of the above? Because they are committed. They want to play for Wexford. They are prepared to go the extra mile and beyond.
The past is the past. The 2 lads are good hurlers but they made the decision to travel and good luck to them. If I was their age now I would probably like to travel like them.
The bottom line is though we can't go on talking about lads that maybe, might, possibly get back to the standard they were playing a few years ago if they decide to give it another shot.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 428 - 23/04/2025 13:58:46    2603867

Link

Replying To Afinestick96:  "See conflicting information saying Parnell Park holds only 7000 and also 8500. Either way it should be a sell out. Hopefully we get at least half of the crowd it should be a great atmosphere Saturday"
Parnell holds a good bit over 7,000. Official attendances for county finals alone have been 8-10,000. And not a lick of paint or renovation since God was a boy!

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3438 - 23/04/2025 15:03:24    2603878

Link

Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Parnell holds a good bit over 7,000. Official attendances for county finals alone have been 8-10,000. And not a lick of paint or renovation since God was a boy!"
Tickets are down as low availability on Ticketmaster anyway so should be a sell out. Hopefully its a fine day should be a great atmosphere two teams with nothing between us.

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 521 - 23/04/2025 15:53:50    2603888

Link

Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Parnell holds a good bit over 7,000. Official attendances for county finals alone have been 8-10,000. And not a lick of paint or renovation since God was a boy!"
No disrespect intended but its some dump. Apologies.

countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 787 - 23/04/2025 16:01:25    2603890

Link

Replying To countyman2022:  "No disrespect intended but its some dump. Apologies."
To be fair to our county board the facilities in Wexford Park are very good. Think installing similar seating as the stand to the uncovered stand would really finish off the ground but I think someone said here before the cost of removing the concrete seating would be extremely high.

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 521 - 23/04/2025 16:17:11    2603893

Link

Do all centra and SuperValu shops have access to the same tickets? Or do they all get a different allocation? Need to source on stand ticket for someone

goreyll (Wexford) - Posts: 148 - 23/04/2025 16:32:26    2603898

Link

It goes without saying that Saturday is a big day for us. Hopefully all the lads are injury free.
The team sheet should be interesting.
Will he start Jippo?
Will he bring Jack Redmond in ( if fit )?
If the above happens who will lose out?
Have we the physicality to outmuscle the Dubs?
Will Chin give an exhibition like he did against Antrim?
Can we keep the wides Down to single digits?
Will our forwards apart from Chinner contribute greater than they did last week?
Will Parnell park prove to be a graveyard for Wexford hurling once again?
Can Rory perform like we know he can?
Will we have 15 on the field at full time?
I haven't the answers to any of those questions.
We'll have to wait until 6.00pm on Saturday to find out.
My verdict -- a hesitant vote for us to win by 2 points.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 428 - 23/04/2025 16:38:00    2603900

Link

Replying To Magpie2:  "It goes without saying that Saturday is a big day for us. Hopefully all the lads are injury free.
The team sheet should be interesting.
Will he start Jippo?
Will he bring Jack Redmond in ( if fit )?
If the above happens who will lose out?
Have we the physicality to outmuscle the Dubs?
Will Chin give an exhibition like he did against Antrim?
Can we keep the wides Down to single digits?
Will our forwards apart from Chinner contribute greater than they did last week?
Will Parnell park prove to be a graveyard for Wexford hurling once again?
Can Rory perform like we know he can?
Will we have 15 on the field at full time?
I haven't the answers to any of those questions.
We'll have to wait until 6.00pm on Saturday to find out.
My verdict -- a hesitant vote for us to win by 2 points."
A lot of questions to be answered Saturday. I think Jippo might start . I think he said in an interview Jack Redmond is a doubt which is a blow. Very hard to know who starts wing forward in place of Jacko. I agree with you its a huge game that could end up defining our year. Win and we need 1 more win to get at least 3rd place or 2 more wins for a Leinster final. Lose and it really is pressure on going to Galway

Afinestick96 (Wexford) - Posts: 521 - 23/04/2025 16:47:33    2603902

Link