Squad character shone through in last three minutes
I’M SITTING in Wexford Park an hour after our dramatic clash with Dublin, feeling as relieved as I have been since Davy took up tenure as Wexford manager. Since the Leinster championship draw was announced, I have firmly believed that our season would be defined not by our clashes with Galway or Kilkenny, but by the Dublin game which held many challenges and pitfalls.
After attending Parnell Park on the previous Sunday, my beliefs were strengthened as to the potency of the Dublin challenge.
The worry prevailed that a loss to Pat Gilroy’s men would have derailed our season, so to have two points on the board is a huge relief.
Wexford were the better team for most of the game and, but for two preventable goals defensively, should have been comfortable coming into the closing stages.
However, even when we were moving along five points up halfway through the second-half there was a worry preying on the mind that we were not being effective in putting these game Dublin men away.
In that situation you are always vulnerable to the sucker punch which came in the form of a Paul Ryan goal on 26 minutes. From then on things got crazy (and that wasn’t only because I was sitting beside Liam Spratt).
Dublin seized the initiative and Wexford’s agony almost culminated in a David Treacy point with normal time up to put them one ahead.
At this point the crowd were in a frenzy and in fairness played their part in willing our men over the line, but we needed leaders badly and thankfully leaders we got.
As the three extra minutes commenced, Mark Fanning launched a giant puck into enemy territory and possibly one of the smallest (height-wise) players on the pitch, Kevin Foley, rose amongst a forest of bodies to catch and secure a free that was an inspirational starting point for our winning surge.
The tension was palpable as play swung from end to end and the most memorable moment was to come.
Shaun Murphy collected the ball in his own full-back line and showed incredible composure in opting for a 20-yard pass.
The simplest thing in the most pressurised situation would be to get the ball as far as possible from our own goal. In my own day this would have been the preferred option but young Murphy’s choice emphasised for me how the game and mentality of players has changed.
The rest was almost legend as young Rory O’Connor, who was outstanding from frees all day, took aim from his own half-back line and split the posts to the sound of a delirious Innovate Wexford Park.
The next and final play saw Diarmuid O’Keeffe (remember this was the 73rd minute) make 80 yards before picking out Harry Kehoe with the perfect pass.
Granted our overall performance wasn’t perfect, but the last three minutes were so important in that it perfectly captured the depth of character that has developed within our young squad. We can video analyse and look at stats forever (and they are important), but when the chips were down our men stood up.
I would venture that this was the most heartening aspect of our performance to the Clare maestro.
We had some wonderful man-to-man battles, and the clash of Liam Ryan and Liam Rushe was worth the admission money alone, with the Rapps man well containing the Palmerstown giant.
Our backs played well overall with the twin attackers (who said we were defensive?) Foley and O’Keeffe outstanding all through.
Shaun Murphy and the incredibly hard-working Aidan Nolan were shortlists for man of the match, with Rory O’Connor showing a steely mind that defied his years up front.
There is room for improvement but for now we will be happy to come out of Sunday with two points. Beware the Offaly men however, whom I have no doubt will have a special welcome in store next Saturday.