Senior backbone
O’Connor and Co. to lead versus Dubs
HAVING RECORDED a three-ina-row of provincial titles, Wexford have struggled in the past two years to leave an impression, a factor they will be hoping to put right when they travel to Parnell Park this Wednesday to take on Dublin in the Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under-21 hurling championship semi-final (7.30 p.m.).
It will take an exceptional effort from Wexford to get back on track despite being backboned by some eight members of the Senior hurling set-up.
Dublin also contain a number of their Senior squad which will go some way towards alleviating that advantage.
Like the majority of counties, Wexford have had exceptional difficulty in having a full squad available for preparation given the demands now placed at Senior level.
They have still managed to take in a number of challenge games, while in a tournament game they saw off Tipperary in a highly-competitive encounter.
Wexford’s last success at provincial level was in 2016, culminating in their three-in-a-row, but over the two intervening years they have struggled to make an impression, as Kilkenny returned to regain control.
This year the grade is even more competitive with Galway having joined the provincial setup, with those two sides meeting in the second semi-final also this Wednesday evening in Tullamore.
Crucial questions will be asked of Wexford, particularly as they always fine Parnell Park a difficult place to fashion a victory.
Dublin may have struggled to hold their Senior status, but they showed enough in those games to show that considerable progress has been made, with a number of those Under-21 players prominent under Pat Gilroy.
And they beat Westmeath by 2-13 to 1-13 in the first round in Mullingar, with Wexford mindful of the fact that the midlanders dumped them at Minor level three years ago.
Despite their struggles with the conflict of interests, Wexford have put in a deal or preparation over the past two months which should leave them well conditioned to make a bold bid for a place in the provincial decider.
While most sides at this grade contain some key players, Wexford will be looking to the outstanding Rory O’Connor for leadership.
The St. Martin’s clubman has blossomed this year through league and championship with the Seniors under Davy Fitxzgerald, but there’s no doubt that he will be given special man-marking attention on this occasion by a Dubs side that saw him demolish their Senior challenge with a late flurry of scores.
Senior defenders, Conor Firman and Damien Reck, will be expected to bring a solid and experienced presence to the defence, which is also likely to contain other Senior squad players in Aaron Maddock, brothers Eoin and Gary Molloy from the Naomh Eanna club, along with Blackwater’s Darren Byrne who is likely to be handed the full-back role.
It’s expected that Joe O’Connor will be one of the midfielders, with Faythe Harriers clubman James Henebery taking the goalkeeping position.
A late addition to the squad has been Fethard’s Mikie Dwyer, while Jack Cullen (Naomh Eanna) and Cormac Byrne (Faythe Harriers) are also included. A big loss to the side is Conanl Flood as the Cloughbawn attacker is recovering from a cruciate knee injury.
While Dublin will have the advantage of having had that championship game behind them, given the quality in the Wexford side they look well capable of securing a provincial final place.
The Wexford backroom is: Tom Mullally (manager), selectors Tom Foley (Rathnure) and Shane Carley (Glynn-Barntown), with former players Eamonn Scallan and Billy Byrne as trainers.