Hurling selectors have compiled a well-balanced list
THE SELECTORS for the hurling club team of the year - drawn from the Wexford GAA TV commentators and analysts - had an extra week on their football counterparts to agree on the 75 nominees featured opposite.
And I feel they used that time wisely, coming up with a well-balanced shortlist that gives due recognition to the finishing places of clubs in their respective competitions.
That’s particularly noticeable in the number of nominations afforded to the four beaten quarter-finalists in the Pettitt’s Senior hurling championship.
All of them - St. Martin’s, Ferns St. Aidan’s, Faythe Harriers and St. Anne’s - have three players in the running, and I think that’s a fair reflection on the overall performance of teams who didn’t make it beyond the first knockout stage.
I’ve already outlined the imbalance in the football list, with one losing quarter-finalist getting a quite staggering seven nominations, while another club exiting at the same stage doesn’t feature at all.
The 2020 campaign was exceptionally tough for each and every club, and I believe the hurling selectors have taken note of that reality and acted accordingly.
Their considered approach is also reflected in the fact that all twelve Senior clubs have received at least one nomination.
Of the four teams that didn’t make it beyond the group stage, Rathnure have two players listed while Cloughbawn, Fethard and Rapparees have one apiece. All are deserving of inclusion, and it’s good to see this type of recognition given that, in two cases especially, the margins between qualifying and exiting were very tight.
As it happens, I saw a lot more games in the Intermediate grade rather than Senior prior to the semi-final and final stages.
And I would broadly agree with the 19 players chosen from that championship for the shortlist. For the record, my top three performers in the second tier were Niall Murphy of Crossabeg-Ballymurn, Robbie Barron from St. James’, and Aidan Nolan of HWH-Bunclody.
In terms of those unfortunate to miss out, I’d make a very strong case for a duo from the lower reaches in terms of championship status.
First up is Michael O’Hanlon of Horeswood, who probably suffers because neither he nor his team-mates had a county Junior final to remember, losing heavily to the St. Martin’s second string.
The full-forward only managed one pointed free in that defeat, but his scoring feats were sensational in the earlier rounds.
He started with 1-8. including 1-2 from play, against Rathnure, before adding 1-11 (0-10 from placed balls) versus Ballyhogue.
However, the game that sticks out in my memory was the quarter-final against Faythe Harriers in New Ross on August 7. On that evening Michael struck an incredible 2-17 from his team’s impressive haul of 2-30, including 2-2 from play.
And then, when they registered 0-26 versus Rapparees, he contributed half of that tally, with three of the points from play.
In this instance, I think Michael has suffered from being in the fourth grade, and for playing his best games away from Chadwicks Wexford Park where most of the main action took place.
The other man I would have included is Kilmore’s Tom Byrne, a real driving force in their march to the fifth tier (Junior ‘A’) title.
He scored 1-0, 0-3, 0-4, 0-4 and 0-1 respectively, and on the days I saw him in action he was unstoppable from centre-forward.
I guess in an ideal world, at the end of each year there would be a separate team of the year selected for every grade.
That works very well, for example, in the ladies’ football National League, and also with the awards that recognise inter-county hurlers and camogie players outside of the top flight.
Whenever club selections are being compiled, the question will always be asked of a player from a lower tier: how would he fare if he was playing at the highest level?
And because it’s impossible to make a judgement on that with any degree of certainty, heated debate will always arise.
These awards are providing a very welcome diversion in a tough month, but perhaps teams of the year for each grade might be considered in future if funds and other considerations allow.
THOUGH WEXFORD Golf Club is still in lockdown, the officers and committees are in place and eagerly awaiting the day when our fabulous facility may open for competitions and social golf.
A sizeable amount of improvement has been carried out during this period on tees, greens, paths, bunkers and drainage by Jake and his team to add further to the pristine condition in which the course is kept throughout the season.
Plans are also in place for the upgrading of bar seating, kitchen area and locker rooms. The exterior walls of the clubhouse have been treated and power washed by Joe Walsh of Advance Cleaners.
At his most recent meeting, club Captain Jim Keane spoke on these projects and his hopes of returning to the fairways.
The review of proposed new memberships and the fact that teams from the club have been entered in the various competitions was also discussed.
One sad piece of news received by the club was the resignation of Brad Cohen from his position as PGA assistant professional to further his career with Acushnet
Europe Limited as fitting specialist for Titleist.
Brad joined the club in 2009 and represented it at junior and adult level and as PGA assistant professional. His warm, welcoming smile always made one feel at ease on entering the Pro Shop where his advice on clubs, clothing and general aspects of the game was of the highest quality.
Brad is wished every success and enjoyment in his new role by the club officers and the many friends that he made, and he will always be welcomed back to Mulgannon.
ROSSLARE LADIES
It’s not golfing weather at the moment, and Government restrictions remain, so this would be a good time to check out the World Handicap System which is now in place.
Ladies’ committee member Valerie Doyle gave a superb presentation at the ladies’ AGM and gents’ AGM earlier this year, and this presentation is now available to view on the club website at www.rosslaregolf.com under the Members tab.
The presentation explains the handicap index, course handicap and the playing handicap. As Valerie assures us, you only need your Golf Ireland membership number and your golf bag – the computer does the rest!
However, members are urged to record every hole correctly into the computer system, even if holes are not played.
To get started, you must register your membership number with Golf Ireland. A short video on the Golf Ireland website (www.golfireland.ie) shows how to do this.
With golf hopefully weeks, rather than months, away, it’s no harm to get this set up in time.
Details of membership offers for 2021 can be checked out at office@rosslaregolf.com. Stay safe everyone!