Straying from the gameplan costing our hurlers dearly

THE STAKES have never been so high, and winning any harder, as Wexford found out in the opening round of the Allianz Leagues. How to predict this season’s competitions in both hurling and football is difficult, as it’s going to be so tight, but for Wexford it was not the start expected, with defeats in both hurling and football.

Many interesting conversations had taken place before Wexford’s opening hurling league game against the reigning All-Ireland champions, Limerick.

It was hard to decide the best way for Wexford to approach the game, but one thing was definite in the minds of supporters, the fact that it was going to be difficult to achieve a winning result.

Following the disappointing championship exit to Clare in 2018, it was Wexford’s aim to put the smiles back on the faces of followers. But the All-Ireland champions provided the opposition and one would have to admit it was a tall order.

Recent Walsh Cup evidence did not suggest that Wexford were in a position to deliver. It was a huge match, and it was always going to be hard for Wexford to win, and while they kept themselves in contention through the second-half, it was still a period in which Limerick led the whole way.

While Wexford did come close with a storming finish, through the 70 minutes one felt Limerick were the more composed and skilful side.

Limerick played like a side with each player knowing his role in the gameplan, in contrast to Wexford who seemed somewhat all over the place, with too many of the players failing to deliver on a system that has brought them so far.

Davy Fitzgerald has stressed time and time again the importance of his gameplan which Wexford must adhere to, if they are to move to another level.

A provincial or All-Ireland championship is unlikely this season, nor is a league title, as they are simply so hard to annex.

When Wexford stick to the gameplan they can match any opposition, as demonstrated against Kilkenny in that opening 35 minutes in Nowlan Park last summer.

They justified Fitzgerald’s approach with that opening half display, but their lack of consistency in sticking to a plan is coming back to haunt them.

To lose to the reigning All-Ireland champions by just three points is no mean achievement, but it’s the overall delivery of their game which is disappointing.

Many will say it’s only January. But what is required of Wexford over the coming weeks is a huge improvement to their hurling.

Their handpassing was slow, inaccurate and failing to find its intended target, with Limerick reading the plan to perfection and bringing off many timely interceptions.

Their first touch was also lacking, while the short puck-outs and short deliveries meant they never really pressurised Limerick, until they became more direct in the closing stages, when the Shannonsiders’ defence found difficulty in coping with the high ball to the goalmouth.

The ball went the wrong way on so many occasions. Davy Fitzgerald will stick to the gameplan that he believes is the only option for the current team, as many believe they haven’t sufficient strength in depth through the team to play the traditional Wexford game. As a result, now is a whole new style of hurling they are facing. The plan has been discarded in many games, but now the responsibility is on the players to perfect their game.

A more clinical approach is needed with their passing, and their puck-out strategy, which was efficient against Galway, and the outfield players must utilise their inside forwards with a quicker, quality ball.

Wexford have the power inside in Conor McDonald and Liam Og McGovern, but on Sunday they were starved off possession.

Against Cork next Sunday, Wexford have nothing to fear, but the players must stand tall, and bring the gameplan together. And to succeed and get the crucial scores, the inside forwards must be utilised to ensure they have a greater impact on the game.

For now it’s up to the players as a second successive defeat would leave them with an uncertain league campaign and one unlikely to see them qualify for the quarter-final stages.