Where was Model army for visit of the boys in blue?

JUST BECAUSE hurling is the more popular sport in the county, I don’t believe that the football community should suffer as a result. There was a period, not too long ago, when Wexford football was catapulted into the limelight, qualifying for provincial finals and even an All-Ireland semi-final.

That was under the guidance of Jason Ryan but ever since it has been freefall - so much so that 2018 could be a very difficult year for new manager Paul McLoughlin and his skeleton backroom team.

Wexford’s blueprint through that Ryan era promoted envy. If they can do it, why can’t we, was the question being posed among the hurling fraternity when the small ball game was struggling even for recognition within this hurling-mad county.

Seamus McEnaney arrived in the county with a style and a swagger, delivering promotion from Division 4 of the league, but failing miserably in the championship. His tenure lasted just one year, as he opted against a further term, leaving the county to seek out a new management set-up.

This was always going to be difficult given the fall-out from the squad, with Paul McLoughlin handed what appears a poisoned chalice. He now has to rebuild an entire squad, composed mainly of young and inexperienced players.

The feel-good factor is lasting for the hurlers, but one believes that football will continue to splutter along, if it doesn’t come to a full stop altogether. Credit to the young side as they did deliver a victory over Dublin in last Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup, albeit a third string team produced by the reigning All-Ireland champions.

While there’s no doubt there has been a dilution of spirit in Wexford football, fair dues to McLoughlin, his backroom and the players, for picking up the pieces following their heavy defeat to Offaly.

McLoughlin has brought in practically a new squad which will face some stern tests once the league commences with an away game to Fermanagh on January 28. The Dublin victory was a result Wexford needed, and the positive vibes should help over the coming weeks of preparation for what is a daunting league campaign.

While the footballers may not be setting the world on fire, one was still disappointed with the lack of home support on Sunday. With an attendance of 2,000 approximately, one would be even stretching it to suggest that Wexford had 10% of that support, given the sparse mingling of purple and gold in the sea of blue as the Dubs travelled in numbers to support even a third string side.

Where is the Model army that we see so much about on the Wexford G.A.A. website? This army is now solely in support of the hurlers, as was even evident in Hollymount the previous Wednesday night when a large crowd turned out for the Walsh Cup clash with Carlow.

The football squad has been decimated for a variety of reasons. But where was the support from officialdom to help the new football backroom team to stop the haemorrhaging of players?

They have been busy arranging a fundraising trip to New York which, judging by the personnel travelling, is solely hurling orientated. Where is the football presence?

It would have been an important gesture to have included at least one well-known footballing figure. Perhaps the inclusion of our solitary football All Star, Matty Forde, in the travelling party would have provided a boost to the code and some recognition for the game.

There does not seem to be a connection between hurling and football in Wexford. Football has been continually chasing its tail in this county despite all the utterances from the top table. They face huge challenges over the coming months.

One real test comes on the final day of the hurling league, when Wexford have a home football game with Offaly, the same day as the county travel to play neighbours, Kilkenny, in what could be a huge clash. Will Wexford even try to have the football game played 24 hours earlier?

On the domestic front it appears as if Oulart-The Ballagh will have a complete new management team at the helm for 2018. Two former players, Darren Stamp and Jimmy Prendergast, will be joined by Tipperary’s Andy Moloney at the helm of Senior affairs in the club.

They are the only nomination for this Friday’s annual general meeting, where the club will also elect a new Chairperson, with Brendan O’Connor, Bartle Sinnott and Breda Flood nominated to replace Mary Doyle, who has decided to step aside.