Thanks and respect owed to our young guns after epic final

DISSECTING THE game in its entirety, and debating the reasons for winning or losing, will always be part and parcel of sport. Ultimately there has to be a winner and a loser though, and that’s why sometimes there’s nothing to be gained from indulging in minute analysis.

A case in point arrived last Wednesday in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, when an enraptured crowd had the privilege of attending one of the most exciting hurling games I can ever remember.

I was in a daze as I left the ground, sick to the teeth at the sad reality that this game for the ages ended in a cruel one-point defeat for Wexford.

And as I alluded to above, I don’t believe that the outcome can be pinpointed to any one major incident, as the sliothar zipped up and down the field with such speed that it was nearly impossible to keep tabs on the action as it unfolded in all its glory.

It most definitely could have gone either way, both in the regulation 60 minutes and in extra-time, and the most important thing to note in the aftermath is that the young men who represented Wexford with such ferocious pride deserve our thanks and respect.

Nobody wants to be labelled with the tag of being gallant in defeat, and we all know to our bitter regret that the county has been on the receiving end of countless crushing losses through the years.

Still, this was the template for the way Wexford teams should play at every level in my opinion. It was real ‘heart and hand’ stuff, and it took Galway all of their time and considerable ability to sneak it with that last-gasp goal.

We’re late bloomers in this county as I mentioned in a recent column, with a horrible Minor record regularly cast to one side once the players land into Under-21 ranks.

Galway, Tipperary and Kilkenny are constantly contesting and winning All-Ireland Minor finals, whereas we have failed to make an impact since 1985.

And yet, the next grade up has been tackled with enthusiasm and no shortage of success.

After last week’s classic, I have to sound a discordant note, and wonder is there any possibility the decision of the G.A.A. to replace Under-21 with Under-20 can be re-visited?

It’s terrible to think that 2016 Minors of the calibre of Darren Byrne, Conor Firman, Damien Reck, Gary Molloy, Rory O’Connor, Liam Stafford and Jack Cushe will be denied a third and final year parading their considerable talents at this higher level.

And quite apart from that loss of talent to Wexford in 2019, think of all the other quality 21-year-olds all over the country who will be in the same no man’s land.

If it’s not broken, why attempt to fix it? I know the horse has bolted at this stage, but nobody has given me a compelling argument as to why there was an issue with the Under-21 grade in either code.

After the drama of Portlaoise on Wednesday, it was a little more relaxing in Mullingar three nights later when the favourable result threw up a pairing that was written in the stars as soon as Davy Fitzgerald was unveiled as Wexford Senior manager.

It had to happen sooner rather than later, and the stakes couldn’t be any higher as the boss man tries to outwit his native county in a confrontation that privately must have his head spinning already.

I’ll always remember the haunted demeanour of Eamonn Cregan when he led his Offaly side to that late smash-and-grab All-Ireland final win over his beloved Limerick in 1994.

Imagine being a successful manager, but having that achievement tempered somewhat by the nagging feeling of contributing to the downfall of your own people.

I know it’s only sport, but the passion for Gaelic games runs deep and I don’t envy Fitzgerald the position he finds himself in this week.

Having said that, I know that his professional outlook will ensure that allegiance to the Banner will be parked, and he will be as committed as ever to getting Wexford over the line.

We’re at the same stage as last year’s departure to Waterford, so do we have what it takes to progress to the next level? Don’t rule out another hum-dinger akin to Wednesday’s Under-21 thriller before that question is answered.