'Cultural shift needed in Wexford': Kinnerk and consultancy team 

CONSULTANCY ROLE: Limerick coach Paul Kinnerk. Pic: Tom Maher/Inpho

A consultancy team including Limerick senior coach Paul Kinnerk have said “a cultural shift” is required in Wexford.

Former Donegal and Tipperary football coach Michael McGeehin of Sport Ireland was also involved in contributing to the coaching and development element of the county’s new strategic plan 2026-2030, which was published earlier this week.

In a list of “take home messages”, clubs in Wexford are called on to raise their standards and objectives. 

“A cultural shift is needed: a mindset of ambition, standards, and shared accountability across every parish and team,” the plan reads before listing the other messages.

“Quality coaching is the spark. When we lift the standard of coaching, we lift the standard of every young player in the county.

“The passion in Wexford is undeniable. Now it needs direction, structure, and sophistication to reach its full potential. The future of Wexford GAA will be built by clubs who take responsibility and grow their own strength. True success is self-sustaining.

“You don’t need to climb one big mountain. Just keep winning the small hills, one by one, together.” 

A quality review system for county teams, which will be conducted by external experts, is also on the agenda as well as the development of a sports psychology and player-wellbeing programme.

The county’s director of hurling is to oversee under-age squads from U14 to U20 “with key focus on quality of coaching, elite player pathway and develop a shared curriculum, principles of play, and player competency framework”.

A head of athletic performance is to be appointed and he or she will have a strategic emphasis on squads. A high-quality coach development programme is also to be established.

A 4G pitch to facilitate year-round hurling training and coaching of coaches is also recommended. 

“This is an exciting moment: a chance to align, modernise, and create a player and coaching culture that Wexford can be proud of for years to come,” said Kinnerk.

A need to change Wexford’s culture and mindset is also listed among the challenges facing Wexford. Others listed include apathy, a lack of people contributing to GAA in the county, silos across squads and committees. 

“We have to work together,” the document reads. “We have to work together. This is on us, the people of Wexford.” 

Former world boxing champion Bernard Dunne, who is the county’s head of talent and cultural development, will oversee the implementation of the strategic plan. 

The Dubliner was appointed to the role last September.