Opportunity for others to impress

WHILE Wexford may be short some key players for the opening rounds of the Allianz National Hurling League, manager Davy Fitzgerald is adamant that it will provide an opportunity for other to stake a claim for a place in the team.

Fitzgerald knows what’s needed competing at this level and requires a full hand. While he accepts they will be under some pressure without key personnel it also provides an opportunity for others to stand up.

Fitzgerald is convinced that he will be without joint skippers, All Star Lee Chin and Matthew O’Hanlon, for the opening rounds of the Allianz National Hurling League.

Ironically both players are undergoing rehab for knee ligament injuries. O’Hanlon received his injury early in the All-Ireland semi-final clash with Tipperary, leaving him with the knee in a cast for several weeks, while Chin picked up his injury during Wexford’s game in New York against Limerick.

Meanwhile, in a further blow, Fitzgerald will have to plan without All Star midfielder Diarmuid O’Keeffe for the opening half of the league. O’Keeffe is travelling at the moment and will not be back on Wexford shores until after the opening round league game.

‘Diarmuid will be back following the opening round but is unlikely to figure until the second half of the league. He will be immediately back in training but will need to bring his fitness to the required levels before he returns. It will most likely be the second half of the league before he returns to the side,’ said Fitzgerald.

But Fitzgerald said that both Matt and Lee will be in trouble for the early league games.

‘I think both Matt and Lee will be in trouble. Lee thinks himself he may be back, but I think he will be out for longer. Should we have a miracle and either player is available it would be a huge plus. It’s difficult to see but they are putting in serious rehab work at the moment. We will keep monitoring the situation over the coming weeks,’ said Fitzgerald.

‘The players have not trained with the squad they are continuing their rehab. I don’t expect them to return to squad training until mid-January which will be only weeks before our opening league game against Laois. We have to be careful with the players, we won’t rush them back. Hopefully their progress will continue but Matt has not trained with the team. He hasn’t done anything since the All-Ireland semi-final. Matt has been out big time since the All-Ireland semi-final, got a bad (knee) injury.

‘But you know what, it’s an opportunity for other guys to stand up and have a go,’ he added.

Fitzgerald has expressed reservations about having to play two league games under lights.

‘It’s not ideal for both Laois and Dublin will be more accustomed to playing under lights both in Portlaoise and Croke Park. I would prefer not to have to play under lights as we are more used to playing under normal conditions. But look it’s something we have to cope with.’

However, Fitzgerald is cautious for the league opener with Laois.

‘Look, Laois beat Dublin in Portlaoise in the championship, so this is the type of game they will be targeting for two points.

‘With the absence of Lee (Chin), Matthew (O’Hanlon) and Diarmuid (O’Keeffe), we will have lost much of our center spine which will add to the challenges facing us. Obviously, it’s going to be a challenge, but we will be ready for it as the players are putting in a huge effort,’ added Fitzgerald.

Wexford will open their 2020 season away to Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup.

‘We will play a mix of players, giving players in the squad an opportunity, see how they react under pressure. We will mix up the team,’ said Fitzgerald.

Looking towards 2020, Fitzgerald said: ‘If we do three-quarters as well as last season it would be a great year. I am happy that Wexford are now up in the pack so over the next two years we hope that we will be able to get there. We need to give ourselves an opportunity. We gave ourselves that opportunity last season, but we have to be patient, not pressurise the players, but encourage them along. We will be giving it everything come the new season.’