New rules and new manager as Wexford seek quick return

THE LITTLEWOODS National Camogie Leagues got under way last week, with Wexford a notable absentee on the first weekend of competition. However, Kevin Tattan’s side will begin their campaign this weekend when they host Down.

Of course, after losing a relegation final against Offaly in 2019, the Slaneysiders will compete in Division 2 this season. That means an opportunity to get some wins under the belt early for the Cork native, and for Wexford to build some momentum heading into the championship.

The opening game this weekend against Down will be Wexford’s only home fixture for the National League, having been penalised for failing to fulfil a fixture in 2019. That means three away trips follow in the coming weeks.

On top of that, there will be no involvement for a second string in Division 3 of the league either. Instead, they will enter the fray in the summer, competing in the Junior championship, and they will expect to challenge for that title.

Wexford travel to face Galway’s Intermediates

for their second game in Group 2 of the league on February 23. The westerners won the first game of the competition against Kerry on Saturday and it wasn’t close (2-12 to nil).

Two weeks later Wexford will travel to the Kingdom and will expect nothing less than a thumping success themselves. The group stages are closed out with a visit to Derry on March 15, with quarter-finals and more expected to follow.

The northerners had their first outing last Sunday against Down and, without their Slaughtneil contingent, it was a tough assignment in Mayobridge, too tough as it proved, with the Mourne girls running out comfortable 5-21 to 1-6 victors.

The difficulty for Wexford is that they will possibly meet Derry with their full panel, although the northerners may already be out of contention for a knockout spot by that stage in proceedings.

Group 2 features Meath, Westmeath, Kildare and the second strings of both Kilkenny and Cork. Meanwhile, the Dublin and Tipperary Intermediates, plus Antrim and Laois, are the quartet in contention in Group 3.

It was a winter of change in camogie, with six new trial rules introduced in a bid to make a game that was losing its appeal more player- and supporter-friendly. While change was clearly needed, some of the new rules have been met with mixed opinions.

The first allows players to ‘use minimal contact on an opponent’s body from sideon, once they are making a reasonable effort to gain possession of the sliotar’.

Opinion varies but one could argue this just puts into words how most inter-county referees officiate anyway and does nothing to make the game more physical.

Rule two gives the referee power to note ‘a player who is deemed to be persistently fouling another in the first instance’. A goalkeeper will now be able to use a quick puck-out, under rule three, to re-start play once the referee has blown his whistle to signal a score or a wide.

Rule four has come in for plenty of ridicule, as it allows a fouled player to take a free out of their hand from inside their own ‘45. Opponents argue it further differentiates camogie from hurling and takes away the skill of a well-positioned long-range dead-ball.

For some reason the Camogie Association made rule five two-fold, rather than two specific rule changes. The first part prevents a player from deliberately dropping their hurl, while the second eradicates the handpass goal from the game.

There are strong opinions for and against the handpassed goal. There’s an argument that it doesn’t take much skill to handpass the ball to the net, but on the other hand goals equal entertainment and taking away goals goes against the product the association should be trying to put out.

Probably the most necessary rule, and one that balances out the handpass a little, is the change implemented to penalties. Both frees and penalties must now be struck from outside or on the 20-metre line, however, only one defending player may stand on the goal-line for a penalty.

Local supporters are encouraged to get out and see the new trial rules in practice, as well getting out to support the new Wexford side, when they take to the field this weekend against Down (home venue, with the day and time to be confirmed).

Wexford panel: Laura Brennan (Rathnure), Lara O’Shea (Glynn-Barntown), Eimear O’Connor (Rathnure), Sarah O’Connor (St. Martin’s), Katie O’Connor (St. Martin’s), Emma Walsh (Glynn-Barntown), Ciara O’Connor (St. Martin’s), Shauna Sinnott (Oulart-The Ballagh), Ciara Storey (Oulart-The Ballagh), Aideen Brennan (Oulart-The Ballagh), Clodagh Jackman (Glynn-Barntown), Derbhla Doyle (Oylegate-Glenbrien), Anna Hennessy (St. Martin’s), Aine Lacey (St. Ibar’s/Shelmalier), Róisín Cooney (Glynn-Barntown), Louise O’Leary (Rathnure), Doireann Cullen (Castletown-Liam Mellows), Katie Sludds (Oylegate-Glenbrien), Leah Walsh (Rapparees), Amy Cardiff (St. Martin’s), Megan Cullen (Castletown-Liam Mellows), Chloe Foxe (St. Martin’s), Linda Bolger (St. Martin’s), Kate Kirwan (Bunclody), Shelley Kehoe (Oulart-The Ballagh), Mag Byrne (Kilrush), Joanne Dillon (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown), Oonagh Doyle (Rathnure), Laura Dempsey (Glynn-Barntown), Nora Higgins (Rathnure), Aoife Dunne (Oulart-The Ballagh), Lettie Whelan (St. Martin’s), Anais Curran (Oulart-The Ballagh), Aoife Guiney (Rathnure), Lisa Bolger (St. Martin’s).

Manager: Kevin Tattan. Selectors: Neil Cullen, Cathal D’Arcy.