It was no feast of football, but win is all that mattered

AVITAL attribute on the C.V. of any inter-county player has to be ‘must have heart and spirit’. This rings true even more if your team is coming off the back of a really poor performance, has been slated from all directions, and the pressure is on to perform.

Last Sunday’s home Allianz League game against Leitrim was all about one thing for Wexford and that was just winning.

The usual clichés about performance, blooding new players etc. were immaterial as a win was needed to save the league campaign and restore the confidence of players and supporters.

In games like this experience is crucial, and the introduction of two of our most seasoned campaigners was a vital move by the management.

Daithí Waters can only be described as a warrior for Wexford when he crosses the white line.

His contribution was immense as he drove forward at every opportunity and encouraged all around him to push themselves to the limits.

His calmness under pressure is vital but his physical presence is crucial to the team.

Ben Brosnan also added experience and held possession well when Wexford were trying to see out the game.

The game itself won’t go down as one of the greatest feasts of football ever seen but it was all about winning.

Brian Malone, Michael Furlong, Jonathan Bealin and Michael O’Regan also put in big performances, so travelling to London next week will be a less pressurised prospect.

Things have changed from a position of potential disaster to a more hopeful one that keeps promotion prospects alive.

Two very winnable games are up next, away to London and at home to Waterford, so these two games offer the opportunity to get another four points on the board.

The trip to London is a unique one for players and is often hard to prepare for mentally.

Years ago it would have been seen as a junket and a chance for a bonding session for the players. That has all changed and the team must be focused for this game.

Ciarán Deely is doing a great job under the circumstances with the London squad.

Due to the economic upturn in Ireland, he has lost a lot of players who have returned home to work.

It is a logistical nightmare to arrange group training sessions, yet he is still preparing teams capable of performing well on the inter-county stage.

McGovern Park in Ruislip is not an easy place to win, and Deely will be well aware of the difficulties Wexford are going through at the moment.

I am sure he has targeted this as one of the games they can win, so Wexford footballers beware and don’t get caught in holiday mode.

The local club championship draw took place last Saturday evening and gave us the usual points to debate about easy groups and soft draws.

The bottom line is there are no easy groups in championships. Teams can lose vital players through injury, suspension and even holidays so each game takes on a life of its own.

Some teams have already been training for months as they try to get the physical and psychological edge on their rivals for the season ahead.

The leagues will start shortly when a lot of teams will bear no resemblance to the championship match day 15, so it is a bit early yet to make any predictions about potential qualifiers and winners.

All I know is that the season has started again with a bang for clubs across the county, as the committees are sorted out, the management teams are in place, and the annual combat for honours begins all over again.