Another bid to end drought
Wexford seeking Minor crown for first time since 1985
EAMONN SCALLAN’S Wexford Minor hurlers are now the centre of attention as they look forward to Sunday’s Leinster final clash with Dublin at Croke Park (2 p.m.).
Earlier this year Wexford set a plan in motion with a view to arresting the barren spell that has afflicted this grade in the county. Their last provincial success was as far back in 1985, when they defeated Kilkenny in the final.
Facing into 2016, Wexford had taken a broad look at their under-age structure, commissioning an external report into the situation in Minor hurling. They put in place a new management team, with the result that Scallan has guided his side to a provincial final with a one hundred per cent record.
Dublin, on the other hand, were sent through the back door, having lost their initial outing to the Model county in Innovate Wexford Park. However, they showed that they are still a force to be reckoned with given the manner in which they disposed of favourites Kilkenny in their path back to the provincial final.
Wexford came off the back of a shock defeat to Westmeath last year. They embraced the challenge that faced them and now they are just 60 minutes away from provincial glory.
They know what will be required to repeat a victory over the Dubs, who will also realise this is a title well within their grasp, irrespective of what happened in their past meeting. It all builds up to what should be a tremendous struggle between two talented outfits.
Now everywhere you go you hear talk about Wexford under-age hurling. That’s nice. This latest change has been brought about by the advances of the Minor side, coupled with the double success of the Under-17 North and South Wexford sides in the Celtic Challenge tournament, added to by the All-Ireland Féile victory of Faythe Harriers.
With that mindset in place, it should add to the confidence of the Wexford Minor players. Certainly they are a dedicated and committed bunch, who have given their all in games and preparations for the challenge that now faces them.
They should certainly play without fear and embrace the occasion and Croke Park where they will be appearing for the first time. This can be daunting in some respects, but it’s something the players look capable of coping with.
Given the quality that’s in this Wexford side, they will thrive on the open spaces of Croke Park. Wexford boast strength in each line of the team and, having sampled earlier success over Dublin, they should feel confident of producing a repeat result.
Dublin’s approach will be dominated by their power and the physicality they bring to their game. Wexford more than matched that physicality when they last met, but more importantly played with a skill and tempo that the Dubs were unable to cope with.
Wexford will be eager to nail an early marker on this game which will be important, as they cannot allow the Dubs set the tempo.
This match is definitely an opportunity for Wexford to end that barren spell without a provincial title. Thirty-one years is a long wait but the side has the players to achieve a victory, although it will be mighty close.
As the players continued their preparations they looked a relaxed bunch as they were put through their paces in the Ferns Centre of Excellence. There comes a time for any emerging team to produce a performance, and Wexford are now geared to deliver exactly that in the heat of battle in Croke Park.
After beating Westmeath, Dublin and then Offaly, it was Scallan’s time to batten down the hatches. He has kept his squad together, prepared diligently, and feels now the time is ripe to produce a big result.
Wexford have a fully-fit squad to choose from so one can expect little or no changes from the side which has guided them through to the final. One may see some positional alterations but these will be limited as the players to date have stood the test.
James Henebery will continue to man the last line of the defence, with the Faythe Harriers netminder playing with great confidence which in itself is a boost to the fullback line, where Ciarán Murphy, Darren Byrne and Eoin Molloy have been performing excellently.
Eoin’s brother Gary, Conor Firman and Michael Codd have proved inspirational in the halfback line, while in midfield Barry O’Connor and Damien Reck are playing with energy and no little skill, with Reck particularly excellent in the games to date.
Rory O’Connor has brought so much to the attack that he will be closely watched by the Dubs defence. One would rate him one of the best Minor forwards to emerge for some time, and his 2-10 tally, with just 0-4 from frees, against Offaly marks him out as the key attacker.
He will have for company the energetic and hard-working centre-forward Conor Hearne along with the skilful Connal Flood, three attackers capable of dismantling the Dubs defence.
Wexford manager Scallan will be asking for a huge effort, and should he galvanise his side from the outset they stand a wonderful chance of bringing back a first provincial Minor hurling title since 1985.