We’re good enough to get the job done
Galway entitled to be favourites
THE DAUNTING path to the Bob O’Keeffe Cup will not faze this Wexford outfit.
With expectations beginning to rise and thousands of supporters getting ready to begin that journey all over again, the long trek along the N11 to headquarters, Wexford are ready to meet the challenge to be laid down by Galway with the head-to-head expected to attract more than 40,000 supporters to Croke Park on Sunday.
Wexford are now reaping the benefits of that provincial Under-21 three-in-row, with at least seven players from that era likely to make the starting 15. Davy Fitzgerald is continuing to place his faith in youth but more importantly, since his arrival in the short space of six months he has put renewed fire in the bellies of the Wexford team.
Wexford have some stand-out talent in their side. Last year was the first in four that they did not make the provincial Under-21 final, and they have already returned there this year. There was a time when the Under-21 grade was not given the attention it required, leading to a dearth of talent coming through to Senior level, but the change of management, and the introduction of J.J. Doyle to the helm, brought a new and positive wave to the team which went on to dominate Leinster.
Still, everyone knew that it was going to take something special to bring these players to another level.
Credit to Liam Dunne as he introduced the majority of the players to Senior inter-county and brought them to a certain level during his five years at the helm, laying a foundation that was available to the new manager to take up another notch
Davy Fitzgerald was successfully nailed by then Chairman Diarmuid Devereux. Suddenly a new wave was brought to Wexford hurling and it has turned into a fairytale season thus far - promotion back to the top flight of the National League, defeating Kilkenny in both league and championship, and now a pro- vincial final awaits this outfit.
In his playing days Davy Fitzgerald was a born winner. This has followed him through to management. Really he does not know the meaning of losing, and he has invoked that winning mentality in his players.
When he took over there was a certain calmness about his approach. The players bought into his team proposals, and Wexford hurling suddenly took off.
The supporters began to return in their hundreds even for Walsh Cup games, but it was the two opening round league victories over Limerick and Galway that signalled Wexford hurling was back at the top level. The highs of winning those two games quickly reinvigorated the county, with more than 18,000 packing into Innovate Wexford Park for the championship semi-final clash with Kilkenny.
Now another tough test awaits for Wexford. The high of beating Kilkenny still lingers, but Galway will pose a different challenge.
The Wexford/Kilkenny match may not have faded from the system yet, but this week will see the supporters’ appetites whetted all over again as they prepare to meet the westerners head on.
This is the only show in town, but it’s a show where Wexford will be looking for leaders. Galway may have the edge in experience but Wexford are lean and fresh.
They will need leaders to steer them through what will be a rapid fire and tense opening 20 minutes. This is a period when so much can be decided regarding the pattern and shape of the game, but Davy will have his players up to meet whatever challenge Galway may present.
When the question comes down to leaders, Wexford have two players to fit the bill in joint captains Lee Chin and Matthew O’Hanlon. Both players have been inspirational this year, particularly in the second-half against Kilkenny when they provided the inspiration and class to stifle the visitors, so much so that the rest of the players provided the oxygen around them.
Both Chin and O’Hanlon know the fundamentals they need to quell the Galway challenge. In many ways O’Hanlon epitomises a lot of the difference that is in Wexford now. He is looking leaner, fresher, and hurling superbly, building to what will be a huge battle with Joe Canning should the Galway attacker line out as expected at centre-forward.
But everywhere one goes the name of Lee Chin is on the lips. Having decided to derail football and concentrate on hurling, Chin is just buzzing with the athleticism and hurling skills to light up any game.
His display against Kilkenny was immense, that second-half point the score of the championship so far, and so important at a stage when Wexford had spilled two goals in a two-minute spell with many feeling the game was slipping away.
But Chin whipped over that super point, nailing for himself a place in folklore. He is one of the finest athletes and most skilful hurlers to grace a pitch for many years.
Wexford move and inter-change easily under Davy’s system. Shaun Murphy has adapted to the sweeper role superbly, Diarmuid O’Keeffe gave a man of the match performance against Kilkenny, Liam Ryan is developing into a top-class full-back, while James Breen has the record of holding the great T.J. Reid scoreless from play in two consecutive games.
That brings us to the remainder of the team. Aidan Nolan has developed into an ideal midfield foil for Chin, Conor McDonald can be explosive in atack, Paul Morris’ point-taking has been superb, and Jack Guiney is quickly returning to the player of old under Davy and can rattle the Galway defence.
Both teams have class in abundance so one can expect to be treated to a thrilling final. Galway are entitled to feel championship favourites.
Wexford are expected to go close though, and they have the wherewithal to win.