Workrate lays the foundations for an impressive victory

PAUL GALVIN made his home debut as Wexford football manager in the newly signposted Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday. New ground sponsors, new team sponsors, a new manager and a lot of new young talent all added to the air of curiosity amongst Wexford supporters. While nobody knew what to expect, Wexford supporters certainly left the ground fully satisfied with the team’s display.

A fully-merited win over pre-match favourites Carlow was a timely boost to a team under a bit of pressure even at this early stage of the season. The manner of the victory was very pleasing, with Wexford trying to play the ball quickly in to the forward line to try to break down the dogged, defensive style of their opponents.

Playing with a strong breeze and after a poor opening 15 minutes, Wexford settled into the game and took full advantage, outscoring Carlow by 2-6 to 0-2 before half-time.

The most impressive thing about the first-half performance was the workrate and tackling of the team. Time and again they pressured the Carlow players into making mistakes and losing possession. The big question was whether they could maintain that level of performance in the second-half.

Within three minutes of the re-start, Carlow had responded in style, scoring 1-1 without reply, and the team was being tested for the first time in the game. To their credit, the Wexford players did not panic, maintained their high level of workrate and chased, harried and fought for every ball.

Encouragingly, Wexford finished stronger even with six added minutes and scored three more points.

The best way of describing the victory was that it put a smile back on the Wexford supporters’ faces. Any victory does, but the effort of every single player involved, the workrate and tackling of the defenders, and the finishing of the full-forward line, showed encouraging signs for the future.

Two points from frees from a total of 2-10 was also a highlight. Nobody will get carried away but a win in a pressurised situation is a character builder for this panel.

Many supporters in attendance would have seen their first live game with the new rules. The black card and sin-bin did not come in to play, although every tackle these days brings a cry to the referee for one straight away.

The most frustrating rule this year for players, supporters and referees will be the advanced mark and the rules surrounding it. First, the players will forget to raise their arm for the mark, will stop play and will be blown for overcarrying. That will be the ref’s fault.

The ball must be kicked from outside the 45-metre line and must travel 20 metres. Without a measuring tape it will be a judgement call. Every player and supporter will be an expert on the 20-metre distance, so again it will be the ref’s fault.

The mark can’t be after a line ball, a free or another mark. So, when the referees are watching to see if there is a foul on the kicker, a foul on the receiver, measuring 20 metres in his/her mind or if it was outside the ‘45, they must also remember the origin of the kick.

To cap it all, if the ball is marked in or outside the large square the defender must retreat and allow the player in possession to advance four steps. If it is inside and the player is tackled straight away, a 13-metre free is awarded which any team member can take. Remember though, the free is for a tackle only and if the player is fouled within the four steps it’s a penalty. Confused?

On top of that we mustn’t forget that the mark is not exclusive to attackers, but defenders are entitled to it too.

I can imagine the cries for penalties, was it inside or outside, he didn’t indicate a mark, you didn’t blow the whistle, it didn’t travel 20 metres, etc., etc. Standard issue for referees this year will be industrial strength ear-muffs, security guards, and a locker in the dressing-room to leave your sensitivities in.