Physical failings in our hurling attack must be dealt with

AS WE hopefully edge closer towards a return to GAA activity on the pitch, with a possible May date, it now seems set in concrete that inter-county competition will be first to set the tone for 2021.

Like all their inter-county colleagues, Wexford Senior hurlers have been preparing in isolation, but what the season will bring in this unusual time in which we are living is difficult to ascertain.

One thing for sure is that the Model county hurlers face a major challenge to return as live championship contenders.

One could say that 2020 was a mixed bag. Qualification for the Allianz League quarter-finals, which later were not played owing to the pandemic, seemed to have set the scene for a positive defence of their provincial title.

But what followed was a shock to hurling enthusiasts in the county. Complacency was never an issue, but their problems ran much deeper than that.

Playing with practically the same squad of players since Davy Fitzgerald assumed control, their championship collapse was without doubt the surprise of the 2020 All-Ireland series.

Their heavy defeats to Galway in the provincial semi-final, with just a token defence of the Bob O’Keeffe Cup, followed by a dismal showing in going under heavily to Clare in the qualifiers, were two games that demonstrated the problems facing Wexford hurling moving into the 2021 season.

Wexford’s lack of scoring power compromised their progress of the previous three years. Not alone did it prove costly, it also saw them lag behind the main title contenders, creating doubts with regard to their true potential which, to his credit, Davy Fitzgerald seemed to have eradicated during his three previous campaigns.

In each of their two championship games, Wexford managed just a meagre tally of 0-17, a scoring return that would leave them struggling against any side in the championship.

It showed we lack forwards of real physical power, and also attackers with the strike rate to trouble any defence.

Going through Wexford teams of the past, we always carried attackers, not alone with hurling skill but backed by a strong physical input, players like Tony Doran, the Quigley brothers, Jack Berry (R.I.P.), Paul Lynch, Martin Storey, along with powerful midfielders in Phil Wislon and George O’Connor.

We do not seem to have them any more. So, this is the main challenge facing Wexford hurling as Fitzgerald tries to develop an attacking plan that can overcome these shortcomings.

After watching Limerick amble to an All-Ireland title, achieved without scoring a goal, but striking 30 and more points in games, it showed the modern version of hurling and how the game has changed. It now seems that for the modern version of hurling, everyone must be 6’4” or alternatively have a powerful frame. And like it or not, it is here to stay.

With the brilliance of Limerick’s wing-forwards Gearóid Hegarty and Tom Morrissey one of the primary reasons the Shannonsiders regained the Liam MacCarthy Cup, the trend will undoubtedly now turn towards unearthing clones in every top-tier hurling county.

Hegarty rifled over seven points from play in the decider against Waterford, while Morrissey was not far behind him with five. That is phenomenal scoring; in fact, it is unsustainable, but what is almost more important is the duo’s other stats.

The 6’5” Hegarty had 19 possessions in the All-Ireland final to the 6’1” Morrissey’s 17, while Hegarty made twelve tackles to his team-mate’s nine, and just edged Morrissey 3-2 in puck-outs won.

These are the kind of numbers that coaches need to be concentrating on when looking to build a half-forward line that could turn a side into All-Ireland contenders.

The dozen points from play are just the icing on the cake, as the 36 possessions and 21 tackles from just two players have a strangling effect on any opposition.

Davy Fitzgerald has already emphasised Wexford’s lack of tackle count in their two championship games. He has not yet given an indication of any alternative to their lack of physical presence. I doubt very much if he is solely concentrating on the attack, since he also saw problems surface in defence.

His short preparation time will not help him develop a structure that would propel Wexford back as championship contenders.