A repeat of 1973 final pairing would be a huge boost
FORTY-FIVE years ago Wexford faced and succeeded in overcoming Limerick in a National Hurling League final, and in doing so claimed a title which has eluded our hurling-mad county ever since.
I attended that Croke Park final (as I did so many games with my father) at the age of eight and could never have anticipated the time gap that would appear before another Wexford success in this particular competition.
It would be a wonderful boost to hurling on both Slaneyside and Shannonside if we could repeat the dream final but, as on so many occasions, the two hurling strongholds of Kilkenny and Tipperary are ready and willing to destroy the dreams of success-starved tribes.
Davy has put an emphasis on doing well in this competition, and rightly so in my opinion. Apart from the fact that the Clare man is incredibly driven to be competitive in every game, a county like Wexford cannot pick and choose its performances or compromise in any way the desire for success in any competition.
When a team is building it is vital to cement confidence and the best way to achieve this is by winning matches as we have been doing over the past twelve months.
The game on Saturday was our biggest test this year to date given the knockout element and the opposition. We have been listening about Galway’s approach to the league which seems a little more relaxed compared to last year, but let no one try to persuade me that Micheál Donoghue is totally comfortable with the fact that Wexford have now beaten them twice in the last three meetings. His demeanour on the touchline wasn’t of a man who enjoyed the feeling of defeat.
It may be a tougher time in the summer, given the Tribesmen will be fitter, but I feel they will be taking our threat very seriously and had quite a bit to think about on the road home.
The sending-off had an impact, but bear in mind Wexford were leading at that point and had any element advantage going in the second-half.
We had some outstanding performers on the day, with Paudie Foley, Rory O’Connor and Conor Mac making the shortlist for man of the match.
Our puck-out strategy was excellent, with the option of hitting Jack O’Connor reaping huge dividends. We certainly turned the tables on Galway’s Leinster final aerial supremacy and I suppose, speaking as a forward, the only thing I would like to see is when in a scoring position within the 50-metre mark that we take the pop a little earlier rather than over passing.
But that’s small criticism for a team which has brought the art of combination and intensity in the tackle to a new level. In short, Wexford are not an easy team to hurl against. Some of our scores were out of this world and a repeat performance next weekend I believe can take us to a final which would be an incredible achievement and just reward for this fabulous group of men and their mentors.
Our reward for the win is a joust with Kilkenny in the most atmospheric back yard in the country. I remarked at one point on commentary during the second-half that something was needed to re-ignite our performance and shortly after the crowd lifted (maybe they were all listening), the team lifted, and it further emphasised that the Wexford support is the best 16th man in the country. I’m really looking forward to the buzz on Sunday.
Finally, we are accustomed to the courtesy that Davy and his charges show to our supporters after games, with autographs and selfies being the order of every day, win, lose or draw.
I must remark, however, on Joe Canning who is one of my favourite sportsmen. The Galway giant stayed on the field for almost an hour after the game despite the fact he was on the losing side and probably freezing, meeting and greeting a host of admirers. A hero both on and off the field and one of the reasons I’m so proud to be a G.A.A. man