Depth of hurling squad developing at a pleasing pace

DAVY FITZGERALD is right when he says qualification for the knockout stages of the Allianz Hurling League is crucial to the county’s finances. Innovate Wexford Park has attracted back the crowds since Fitzgerald took over at the helm of Wexford hurling.

Now in his third year in charge, Fitzgerald is determined to repeat the feats of the previous two seasons and qualify for the league final stages, which brings much-needed extra finance into the G.A.A. coffers in the county.

It is part of the Fitzgerald project, the remaining piece being a determination to lift some silverware, which is, of course, also a major priority with the players.

The level of passionate support for Wexford hurling was once again evident in Innovate Wexford Park where some 6,700 supporters entered the ground, which is sufficient numbers to suggest they are still hungry for success.

The news for Wexford supporters is that Fitzgerald is more enthusiastic than ever. Last Sunday saw him reach another milestone, filling in that solitary piece left in the jigsaw, as the victory over the Premier county has now seen the Wexford maestro achieve success over all of the leading hurling counties as he embarks on his third season at the helm.

Wexford’s two-match charge, following that opening round defeat to reigning All-Ireland champions, Limerick, has seen them move up into second place in the table on four points, two adrift of the undefeated Shannonsiders, but leaving them in a position to at least bid for a quarter-final spot.

That news for the Wexford G.A.A. officer board is excellent, as the Davy Show is the only one in town. Without him, the game would be only paid lip service.

Their glorious two-match run, resulting in victories over Munster opposition in Cork and now Tipperary, is a tribute to the long-term planning of Fitzgerald who has sought to strengthen his squad and not become so reliant on the same 19 to 20 players through an entire league and championship campaign.

Despite his injury crisis, Fitzgerald has still managed to mould a side, and suddenly but less predictably he has introduced players from his squad and extended panel to leave the Model county bursting out of the traps.

They are composed, confident, and with a gameplan they are becoming more increasingly confident with.

Now Fitzgerald has a group of players working both as individuals and together. Whatever both Tipperary and Cork tried, you could see Wexford react instantaneously, keeping their composure, and showing no panic, with the real thrill of it being witnessed last Sunday.

When eight points adrift early in the second-half, they responded with their own style of attacking hurling, developed from deep in defence, but with the one priority of retaining possession through the pitch.

This subsequently led to the crucial scores, with Seamus Casey’s goal a fitting reward for the patience showed despite the deficit facing them.

And is there a more satisfying change than to see so many young players come into the side to fill the roles vacated through injuries and suspension?

One of those players, Darren Byrne, gave a man of the match performance from his full-back role that led to Seamus Callanan being switched to a half-forward role in an effort to get their free-scoring star into the game.

Byrne’s play was a tribute to the coaching ability of Fitzgerald and his backroom, and their ability to instil such confidence in youngsters, despite the nature of their injury crisis which left them without so many key players. Byrne is a commanding figure in front of goal, warrior-like and physical, backed up by a hurling ability which defied his lack of big game experience.

This coupled with the display of corner-forward Seamus Casey has handed Fitzgerald the options he has been craving over the past 18 months.

Shane Reck and Cathal Dunbar are also fitting into the system, and with the injury list beginning to heal it is true to say that Fitzgerald is now cultivating a squad that will lead to more consideration when arriving at team selections.