Martin’s and Gorey my tips as the old order has changed

THE STAND-OUT message from our semi-final pairings next Sunday is that the old guard has changed in Wexford hurling. It would be almost unimaginable in years gone by that the penultimate round would not include Oulart, Rathnure or Buffers Alley, with the Harriers and Cloughbawn notable absentees also.

Time stands still for no man and there can be no doubt that the most deserving four (maybe the Shels would disagree) are the teams sharpening their hurls for the weekend’s battles.

It has been an incredible hurling season nationally and although low-key I do believe that our local championship is amongst the best organised and competitive around, and it is certainly no harm for promotion to have two town teams in the last four.

Hurling is in a reasonably good place but for me discipline both on and off the field is one of our major challenges locally and nationally.

Before anyone points the finger I fully accept that we all have huge responsibilities in this area (myself included) and the only way forward will have to start with everyone taking a long look in the mirror. It is a subject that should form a large part of the off-season agenda in all counties and clubs.

Oylegate are ‘the hats off to’ set up this year, with M.J. Reck doing an incredible job steering his men to Sunday’s game. I say this because although they have incredible talent in their ranks, they are working off less strength in depth than St. Martin’s for example.

They work off an incredible passion and energy, and with players up front like Seamus Casey and ten-goal Podge Doran, they have been a breath of fresh air to this year’s championship.

They meet a Gorey team full of confidence and it has been worth the admission money to see Conor Mc and Cathal Dunbar put defences to the sword, with a combined three goals and nine points last day out underlining their threat.

Complemented by the Molloys, Doyles, Travers and youngsters Charlie McGuckin and Jack Cullen, it is no accident (given the tremendous work at youth level) that these men are where they are on Sunday.

The game will very much hinge on how the underrated Michael Heffernan will cope with McDonald and how effective Damien Reck operates in the centre-half sweeping role, but with youngsters Mike Kelly, Jamie and Shane Reck this will be a closer game than we saw earlier in the year.

My call is Gorey but I’m looking forward to an open, entertaining game of hurling.

This time last year I felt the Rapps were an outside bet for the championship and, although they are not playing with the same cohesion of late, they are to me the Piercestown men’s greatest threat.

They operate without a fear of the champions, having beaten them in football and hurling last season (we must take into account the hurling game was inconsequential to the men in maroon).

They have strong legs and talent all over the field in Jack Kelly, Ricky Fox, Ryan Mahon, Kevin Foley and the ageless Mossy Mahon (in my book still one of the most skilful I have seen), and on their day can match anybody.

I would imagine if ‘Skinner’ Walsh had one wish it would be to have a second Liam Ryan (one for the backs and one for the forwards), and as always the All Star nominee will have a huge impact.

The champions have three elements that I feel will carry them over the line, however.

Firstly, they have a serious strength in depth which their management have perfected in utilising usually from about the 40th minute of each game.

Secondly, they don’t panic, and thirdly, they have shown the extra gear is there when completely outplaying Ferns with 14 men in a second-half facing the wind.

Rory O’Connor will be a loss but I feel, led by his less mentioned brother, Jack, who has been one of the top three players in the championship this year for me, Tomás Codd’s men will squeeze through.