O’Gorman: Consistency the key to silencing Wexford’s critics
Former Wexford hurler Larry O’Gorman believes the Model County answered their critics by beating Galway – but feels they will continue to face scrutiny until they build up a more consistent level of performance.
O’Gorman says questions swirled around the county after the 2-22 to 2-20 defeat to Antrim in Corrigan Park last month as to whether the Joe McDonagh Cup beckoned in 2025.
Wexford came close to making the drop last year, with only a strong last 10 minutes against Kilkenny rescuing them in their final round-robin game in Leinster last year.
O’Gorman, an All-Ireland winner with Wexford in 1996, feels they have heeded their warning and will finish the round-robin group strong from here.
“Maybe the game against Antrim was the kick in the backside that they needed going into the Carlow game. If they drop off again, it could be a downer for them, but I can’t see it happening,” he admitted. “The biggest challenge is the Kilkenny game [May 26]. That is where we have to get our head really strong.”
Beating Galway after losing to Antrim was typical Jekyll and Hyde Wexford and reinforced the former midfielder’s view that they are a backs-to-the-wall team. It triggered its share of local derision. “There were big questions being asked of them, especially after the loss to Antrim. Their backs were to the wall. There were big questions being asked all around the county, ‘Are we good enough, or do we deserve to go down to the Joe McDonagh after last year?’
“We redeemed ourselves, we answered the critics. The keyboard warriors were giving us a lot of stick down here, the players [were getting it] especially.
“They just have to be consistent. I know listening to Lee (Chin) and a few of the lads that they are working hard, their mentality is very strong. They are very driven this year for some reason. The freshness with Keith (Rossiter) coming in and the backroom team [has driven it].
“But this dark cloud coming over their heads, you’ve got to brush that aside and stay focused.”
O’Gorman feels that Galway were lulled into a false sense of security by the two-point loss to Antrim in Belfast.
“The Galway lads, I just didn’t think they were up for it. Maybe they thought that Wexford were wounded and it was only a matter of heading back home with the two points in their pockets. Wexford stood up to the task. We worked our socks off. We got a lot of space. There was very little chasing, to be honest, from some of the Galway players. That benefited us.”
O’Gorman has welcomed the return from injury of Rory O’Connor, Liam Ryan and Conor McDonald but credits his Faythe Harrier clubmate Chin with the greatest input.
“He is probably one of our best players we have seen for the last 20 or 30 years, or more,” said O’Gorman. “He has been a great leader in terms of bringing the players along.
“Having to answer questions after bad performances is hard on him. He takes it to heart. He just wants to get stuck into the next game. That’s the sign of a great leader. He’s a bit calmer now in terms of his play, his free-taking has improved. He’s a monster to stop, [and he’s] well able to catch a ball, to strike a ball. He’s a handful for anyone and to have him in our own club is great for the kids.”
Wexfordwillbewithoutyoungforward Cian Byrne, who was sent off for a headhigh tackle on Galway’s Donal O’Shea.
O’Gorman feels that such tackles are creeping more and more into hurling as players take a full-blooded approach.
“You tell a player to be focused and stay within the rules – but there are guys tearing into one another. You get a smack or something [happens] off the ball, your blood pressure is up. All of a sudden you make a tackle and you go away with your hands in the air, ‘Jeez, what the hell am I after doing here?’”