NEW MODEL FOR AN OLD RIVALRY

WEXFORD will be a “different animal” come Championship says TJ Reid.

Kilkenny ended their losing streak against their neighbours on Sunday, adding a new chapter to the most engaging rivalry the counties have enjoyed since the 90s.

Since taking charge of the Model men ahead of the 2017 season, Davy Fitzgerald has had five tussles with Brian Cody’s (above) Cats, and their next scheduled meeting is the Leinster Championship round robin clash on June 9 at Nowlan Park.

They could even meet before then, if both counties win their respective League quarterfinals this Sunday.

Kilkenny star Reid said: “That’s what you want. You want competition.

“Wexford had that passion back in those days. We were going to Leinster finals. Croke Park was packed.

“That’s what you want in sport, that competitive edge there between Kilkenny and Wexford and that passion. Come the last five minutes the roars and the cheers, people on their feet. That’s what you want.

“You want the likes of the Wexfords, Offalys and Dublins coming back and making it really competitive for Leinster, but look, Wexford are good, they are going to be there or thereabouts. They have a few players on the bench to come back for them.

“We have Wexford in the Championship so they are going to be a different animal that day as well.”