Powerful start to both halves tore Wexford asunder

IT ALWAYS pointed towards a Wexford/Kilkenny showdown to decide the second Leinster final berth. That is how it has panned out following Wexford’s defeat to Galway - an emphatic loss brought about by dreadful starts to both halves.

Wexford got knocked down, but they will have learned many lessons from the Galway defeat.

Now they must pick themselves up again, and wouldn’t it be fabulous to return to winning ways on enemy soil, and set up a provincial showdown with Galway, an opportunity to do it all over again.

That would show there is much more to Wexford hurling than doom and gloom.

Taking the season as a whole, Wexford have done remarkably well, but there was always going to be at least one or two hiccups particularly when playing against the cream of hurling on a regular basis.

Galway on this occasion were a different animal. They were not just on a mission in defending their titles, they were a side with intent and revenge on their minds, determined to set a few small matters right, and showing that the league victory of Wexford needed answering.

This they achieved with a full-blown start to both halves, two periods of the game from which Wexford could not recover to mount a serious challenge.

After this defeat even the most optimistic supporter will have reservations travelling to Nowlan Park this Saturday. But within minutes of the final whistle the Wexford players and management regrouped in the sanctity of the dressing-room.

The door was firmly closed, and it was some 45 minutes later before manager Davy Fitzgerald emerged outside to meet the waiting media.

He admitted that there was only one team out there, and it was Galway. From front to back Galway were on top, and when they moved up a gear they did that seamlessly. They also had players coming on who could do as efficient a job as those they were replacing.

While one would worry for Wexford, their fourth game in 21 days is not something the players should dwell on this week. The championship timeline was set out from the start, Wexford were unfortunate in the draw in not receiving a rest weekend, something that will have freshened up Kilkenny for this old-style provincial semi-final showdown.

Our neighbours had a free weekend, leaving both Brian Cody and James McGarry to take in the Wexford v. Galway clash. They will have learned little as they must have left wondering what Wexford side will turn up on Saturday evening.

It’s a particularly difficult assignment for Wexford, given that both sides are coming off the back of heavy Galway defeats, but the great thing about the round robin is that it gives them an opportunity to bounce back, and not be left to dwell on such setbacks for the remaining months of the year, having to wait until the National League to rectify whatever went wrong.

Davy Fitzgerald will re-group his squad, hoping to re-charge their batteries, and freshen them up for an assault on their enemy. From the announcement of the draw he stressed the impact four successive games would have.

He always felt the third and fourth games would be huge challenges, so he set about getting up and running for their opening two games, achieving an early place in the knockout stages.

It has been suggested that changes in personnel should be made for this clash, but Fitzgerald is too experienced, and around too long, to panic, so one can expect the minimum alterations.

As they move on he has put Kilkenny out there as firm favourites, citing their rest weekend as being crucial, but the Wexford players will listen to a different tune inside the camp.

Just to finish on a negative note: what happened those missing stand tickets on Saturday evening? Given the vast amount of vacant seats, supporters need some explanation since those who ventured to Wexford Park on Saturday evening were told all seats were sold out, with only terrace tickets available.

Yet on entry to the terraces they could see so much space available in the stand. Those genuine supporters limited to just two tickets should not alone receive an explanation, but an apology.