Wexford capable of pulling off first surprise of season
AFTER WHAT seems like an eternity, but it’s only been seven weeks, the Wexford Senior football team are back in action this weekend with a home championship match against Laois. Wexford are playing a team that they are replacing in Division 4 next season, so Laois are overwhelming favourites in all quarters. Laois won promotion with an unbeaten run and without playing their full complement of games in the division.
Their match against Antrim was postponed during the snow and was one of the ties in Division 4 controversially never re-fixed by Croke Park as it had no bearing on final standings.
Looking at their league form, it is hard to gauge the level of our opponents next Saturday.
They had some impressive wins but also had a fright against London, only winning by two points.
The most recent comparison we have is their performance against Carlow in the league and subsequently the league final. Laois won by one point in the early round and won the final by four, so they maintained their long-time dominance over their next door neighbours.
We all remember our disappointing defeat to Carlow in the championship last year and have watched Carlow improve and gain promotion, so, based on these results, Laois are deservedly favourites to progress.
Laois are backboned by Mark Timmons, Colm Begley, Donie Kingston and Ross Munnelly, still performing brilliantly on the big stage despite being 35 years young, scoring four points in the recent league final.
Another one to watch, but who was absent for the league final, is Gary Walsh, who amassed an impressive 4-41 in six games of league football. That’s impressive scoring by any standards.
We all know our own team is in the middle of a rebuilding process and had a difficult league campaign. However, the last game against Armagh was the perfect way to finish off with a morale-building win over the eventual divisional champions.
During the league many young players gained invaluable experience playing at some of the toughest venues in the country, and the confidence gained from performing well at this level has helped them improve.
Wexford will again look to stalwarts like Daithí Waters, Brian Malone, Michael Furlong and Ben Brosnan to lead by example, like they always do. Eoghan Nolan, Conor Carty, Tiarnan, Naomhan and Jim Rossiter also add experience.
At this stage I don’t know what the team is but Wexford could have up to five championship debutants this weekend. Preparations have been very low key and that is ideal for Paul McLoughlin and the management team.
The Wexford panel is full of talented players and they are well prepared. I feel if they perform to the best of their abilities they could pull off the first surprise of this year’s championship and are worth a little bet at odds of 3/1.
After my last column, I discovered that more than just my parents and Tom Dempsey (sometimes for ideas) read my articles.
While congratulating North End on reaching the FAI Junior Cup final, I mentioned in error that the same competition had been won by New Ross Celtic 24 years ago. Soccer experts around the county will know that it was the Leinster Junior Cup that New Ross Celtic won.
Thank you to the ones who took the time and pleasure to correct me by text, face ache and even a few phone calls; I always like to throw in the odd mistake to keep people interested.
What an occasion Saturday promises to be for the Sky Blues with a chance to perform on the biggest stage of all in the country. They have the talent, the belief and the experience on and off the field.
They have beaten the best in the country to get to this stage and are one game away from glory. With the right attitude I have no doubt they will be champions. Best of luck to North End on Saturday.