I thought the half back line were very good. Dan Morrissey is some man to get over a ball, stick his arse out and get it into the paw, he loves the short passes or hand pass. Byrnes on the other wing is probably the more spectacular hurler, more likely to win a high ball and burst forward before delivering it to the inside forwards. His long range frees in the second half were vital.
Hannon is central to this team, heās a great man to cover back and pick up vital ball, we saw it so much last year at big moments in games as well. A great leader.
I agree with previous comments about Gillane also, he has so much potential and could be immense.
The poster who said wexford just went route one in the second half was correct as well. They offered fuck all else in trying to make scores, no patterns of forward play
Dan Morrissey got caught trying to catch a ball going backwards for their second goal. Similar to Lehanes goal for Cork, back pedalling trying to catch it. He does seem to get caught under the ball a fair bit. Condon was coming out yesterday to try and catch it as well. Iām sure that will drive the management spare, two lads going for the one ball and a big gap for Wexford to run in to
One of aspect of Wexfordās play which I was impressed with was when they did win primary possession around our 45, they had 3 or 4 options running off the shoulder and the likes of Dunbar & Dunne looked very threatening. Both goals came from this kind of move, and I suppose that is what Wexford are aiming to do consistently.
That aside, I thought we defended superbly. We harried and hassled and pushed them away from goal, and really limited their scoring opportunities. Now admittedly, the conditions meant it was a day for backs and Wexford donāt make it easy for their own forwards at the best of times so no need to get carried away.
Last year, a few players were given a jersey and held onto it, players who generally mightnāt have been expected to start- Flanagan, both Morrisseys, even Gillane & Mulcahy.
With regard to the newcomers/contenders yesterday:
Condon was decent. Couple of big, standout moments but a couple of errors. Youād still be favouring Mike Casey to come back in.
Mala had a good first half but faded. When you look at the impact that DOD had when he came on too, I donāt think heāll be taking that starting spot. Still, as an impact sub heāll put pressure on.
Dempsey worked hard but didnāt really stand out. Youād have to see Kyle as being favoured to come back in. I thought it was interesting that Murphy was brought in as a wing-forward rather than Boylan or Dowling.
Casey was excellent in the first half and he was the one who really showed his quality. Creates space for himself so easily and a deadly finisher. I donāt know who he replaces but heās got that jersey now and he wonāt relinquish it easily.
Be interesting also who comes in next week against Tipp. Obviously you have Pat Ryan Simon who was the chosen sub yesterday, but may be preferred as an impact sub. Thereās Dowling but it is a different style of player. There was no sign of Nash at all yesterday and Mulcahy could miss out. Murphy was preferred inside early last year but Downes was on the bench yesterday, maybe itās his chance?
Is there Fitzgibbon this week yeah? Be interesting to see the 15 that Kiely will name for Tipp. Sheedy trying his best to disguise the fact that Tipp are going balls out at the moment but you could see it in his own demeanour and reactions on Saturday night and in fairness the desire was impressive from them. Theyāll come all guns blazing and itāll be a huge step up in class from Wexford. Tipp a good bit ahead of us preparation wise. Iām looking for the same attitude and effort from our boys
Flanagan out is really going to up the ante in the forward competition. What happens if Gillane picks up an injury at any stage? Dowling surely starts or do they risk Casey as the freetaker? Dowling canāt cover ground like Flanagan but I still think he could be hugely effective in the system.
Callinan at this stage is heading into the realms of best forward in the country if current trajectory continues. Adding that side to his game while still scoring and creating like that will see him win Hurler of the Year for 2019 if Tipp make it far enough. I couldnāt get over the condition he was in back in December in the Munster League
God forbid Gillane got a knock or was put off, but Tom Morrissey wouldnt let us down with the frees.
Agreed, it will be interesting to see who comes in for Flanagan. Was surprised Dowling didnt get a run yesterday though and that could point to him being behind Murphy and Pat Simon currently in the peckin order, maybe not though.
Agreed time to mix things up a bit in these games we will need to evolve I still reckon weāll be there or thereabouts at the business end in the summer
Unless Flanaganās form drops off a cliff heās not going to be replaced any time soon. Canāt fathom how lads donāt see how vital he is. In my opinion he isnāt in direct competition with Dowling at all. We actually donāt have a replacement for Flanagan.
Dowling was most effectively used in the half forward line last year. Kilkenny & Cork thatās where he came on and was superb. I think heās in competition with Kyle, Tom M and GearĆ³id. Not going to be easy displace those lads.
I think Flanagan is central to how we play. But I think people overstate his personal impact last year. He had a big influence on two games in the championship, apart from those two, not so much. That said, heās still the man in possession and central to how we play, and I expect him start trending towards his stronger performances more consistently.
I forgot about Morrissey on frees. Still unsure would they start him as the freetaker in a championship game. The way heās grown heād probably relish the responsibility actually.