DORAN WON’T BE BACK

Oylegate attacker declines invitation to rejoin hurlers

WEXFORD MANAGER Davy Fitzgerald has revealed that Podge Doran has declined overtures to return to the Senior hurling squad.

Doran, who had been a regular in the squad up to the start of 2018, when he took a break, has enjoyed a sparkling club campaign with Oylegate-Glenbrien, with many believing that it was only a matter of time before he would re-join the county set-up as a result.

With Fitzgerald already contemplating his squad for the 2019 campaign, the name of Doran will not be appearing on the list.

‘I spoke with Podge but he does not want to give the commitment,’ Fitzgerald said.

‘I asked him if he was prepared to give the commitment and re-join the squad but he was not prepared to give this. He said he would not be returning. He does not wish to commit and work really hard with us. He does not want to join.’

With six weeks to go before the squad begin their pre-season, Fitzgerald has yet to settle on his panel, but a limited number of changes are expected.

‘I will be taking in the county final, along with other games, and then settling on a squad which next year will be no more than 30 to 31 players.

‘We will also be working with the Under-20 set-up and a number of fringe players will be working with them, and hopefully, putting themselves in a position to push for a Senior squad place.

‘I want all the squads on the same wavelength when it comes to hurling. I want all our sides playing a similar style of play,’ he said.

‘That would mean working with up to 60 players between Senior and Under-20. I can see a pattern emerging in Wexford hurling, even at club level, as they are taking on board what is being coached over the past two years.

‘That’s what I want for Wexford hurling, players to be able to adapt at any given time, that’s what is needed.’

Fitzgerald revealed that Mathew O’Hanlon will be available for pre-season. There had been much speculation that the St. James’ clubman was taking time out to travel.

‘Matthew is away at the moment, with his club having finished. He’s joining up with us in Boston but more importantly he will be coming home and joining in the pre-season.

‘That’s crucial and something I wrapped up before deciding to return.’

On the Rory O’Connor prolonged injury saga, he said: ‘I am encouraging Rory to have the operation once St. Martin’s championship is complete.

‘The operation will keep him out for six weeks, but it’s important he gets a pre-season under him and plays in the National League.

‘He has yet to play in the league for me, but it’s important for him to have a league campaign under his belt.’