Encouraging to see hurlers developing early winning habit

IF WINNING is a habit, then Wexford are progressing nicely into 2020, with more silverware being secured by virtue of a hard-working, never-say-die performance in the Walsh Cup final on Saturday. Whilst caution should be advised in reading too much into results at this time of year, there certainly are many positives in how the new season is already shaping up.

Firstly, in the evolution of any team, new faces are needed to both improve our options on match day and add a freshness to the overall dynamic.

It has been important, too, to have some of the regulars present to add stability and give the newcomers a fighting chance.

The challenge for Davy and his selectors over the next few weeks is deciding which of these players has the best credentials to drive us forward. Playing in Portlaoise was opportune also, with a potentially tricky league opener in the same venue next Saturday evening.

For me however, the league is diminishing in importance every year, with relegation hopefully not an issue, and this is no disrespect to both Carlow and Laois who share our group.

Nonetheless, we have some mouth-watering home ties to look forward to over the next few weeks, with Davy’s reunion with his old comrades from Clare and Brian Lohan, along with the Cats, being of the interesting variety to say the least.

Galway for their part won’t worry unduly given that they romped to Walsh Cup and league victories over us this time last year, only to see their season taper off badly, with Wexford enjoying a much more satisfactory 2019.

Despite the weekend loss, the westerners will play a big role in where silverware rests over the coming season, and one lesson learned seems to be the resting of Joe Canning to have him in prime condition when championship time comes.

There is a buzz about hurling in the county at present, and I think we can look forward to the year with a good degree of optimism, but be very aware that margins will be tight in every battle in what should be a very interesting year. For what it is worth, I am installing Limerick as my early favourites for the title.

Ballyhale and King Henry further added to their legend by annexing the Tommy Moore Cup (not by the margin I had predicted) against a Borris-Ileigh side that just refused to go away.

While I was watching the game, I became increasingly frustrated by two little bug-bears of mine that I feel need to be sorted.

My understanding of the handpass rule is that the referee must see a clear striking action, but the gap in the application of this rule is quite staggering.

All through the All-Ireland Club championship it has been a case of anything goes, with little or no passes pulled up, whereas in some games locally I have seen obvious striking passes penalised.

It is very hard to coach given the disparity, and I have no problem if we go with one way or the other, but it should be consistent.

Secondly, while I accept that T.J. Reid is the best hurler in Ireland, surely the man of the match award should be judged purely on what has happened in the game in question. Based on that assumption, how on earth did TG4 not choose Borris-Ileigh forward Jerry Kelly after he scored a marvellous six points from play?

Heavy preparation is under way for the club scene, and I feel the Senior hurling championship is poised to be one of the most competitive of recent years. John Meyler’s arrival along with Tony Walsh and Shane Carley welcoming Derek McGrath and Jason Ryan respectively have given a high-profile element to proceedings.

The musical chairs are over, and I am looking forward to seeing what pairings the draw throws up. St. Martin’s as champions deservedly hold the tag of favourites, but there is not a lot to choose between the other contenders.

An injury or bad luck could propel you from contenders to relegation, and I must admit that club hurling is still my favourite passion.

Let the battles begin, and up Wexford.