Wexford GAA Bulletin

Bulletin following Coiste Bainistí meeting held on 8 November 2022.

Championship Submissions Review

Submissions were received from 20 clubs in respect of changes to competition formats and regulations for 2023.

Championship Format

There were 16 clubs who indicated as part of their submission that they wished the championship format for Senior to Junior A to remain as is, i.e. two groups of 6 as was played in 2022. There was one proposal to change the format to three groups of 4.

Championship Calendar

In considering submissions in respect of the calendar, Coiste Bainistí agreed that the calendar agreed will not cater for everyone but needs to cater for the majority. The stakeholders to be considered in the calendar are our players (dual GAA players in particular), referees and match officials, stewards and gatepeople, the promotion of games, both at club and county levels, and our sponsors.

Proposals were received from seven clubs that the championship calendar remain on a split season basis with hurling first. All evidence presented to Coiste Bainistí suggest that this calendar basis to be the most favoured by our players.

There were nine various proposals received in respect of running the championship on the basis of alternate blocks. With consent from seven of the clubs, it was agreed to merge their proposal into one single proposal so as to avoid confusion in respect of what clubs need to consider.

This proposal is that there should be two rounds of football played followed by two rounds of hurling up to and including the quarter finals. Following this, the football and hurling semi-finals and finals would be played every second week. Coiste Bainistí considers, that while this is not the most favoured by our players, it does increase time for preparation for teams and promotion of our games and ensures that key Round 5 and knockout games do not occur during peak holiday season (August).

There were also proposals received in respect of alternate weeks (1 club), split season with football first (1 club) and the two proposals for alternate blocks which the respective clubs did not wish merged.

League Format

One proposal was received based on introducing promotion and relegation in the All-County Leagues. A number of other clubs also included comments with their submissions that they felt the All-County Leagues should be changed to make them more competitive and/or that promotion and relegations should be introduced. Coiste Bainistí considered that the league proposal received should be given serious consideration, either as is, or with amendments, as the current league competition results merely in pre-organised challenge games that some clubs do not want anyhow.

Junior B

Proposals were received in respect of an All-County League for Junior B teams (based on cross-play against other districts), the introduction of a Junior C Championship at both District and County level and grading rules for Junior B.

U19

Discussions and decisions in respect of an U19 or similar championship will be deferred until there is more clarity in respect of age grades.

Infrastructure Update

Chadwicks Wexford Park

Civil enablement works for the erection of floodlights are in progress. It is expected that the light poles will be erected in December. The lights will be commissioned and concourse lighting installed in advance of the first game under floodlights in Chadwicks Wexford Park on 21 January 2023.

St. Patrick’s Park

Plans are being drawn up to upgrade the floodlights in St. Patrick’s Park together with lighting of the Showgrounds from both a warmup and parking perspective. It is hoped that grants will be available from the SEAI for these upgrades.

An Cathaoirleach, Micheál Martin, requested that a comprehensive plan be developed and communicated to all members to address the ongoing traffic congestion on Pearse Road. It was noted that an agreement is in place with the Showgrounds Committee and Enniscorthy Greyhound Stadium to enable a one-way system whereby cars could exit from St. Patrick’s Park via Enniscorthy Greyhound Stadium and not back down Pearse Road.

Upcoming Dates