Potential Wexford hurling team against Dublin

1

Kevin Kavanagh is definitely out with a groin strain. Doc O’Connor is said to have played really well on Ken McGrath in the recent challenge game against Waterford and is tipped to start centre forward. Though he’s played the vast majority of his hurling in defence getting Doc away from our own goal is a real bonus. Nigel Higgins has been sharp in the various challenge games and he could get in ahead of Paul Carley. I’m not sure who’d then take the frees as Rory Jacob’s all round game has suffered in the past when he’s been on them. I’m not sure if Stephen Doyle has enough hurling done after his shoulder/collar bone problem so I think Stephen Nolan will probably be wing forward and possibly on the frees. Eoin Quigley has been better in the challenge games since teaming up with Gizzy in midfield. I also hope Richie Kehoe is switched back to his natural home in the half back line. Skippy is rumoured to be carrying a knock too but should be fit. I think we’re looking at something along the lines of this:

Fitzhenry;
Travers; Ruth; Roche;
Kehoe; Rossiter; Doran or Kenny;
Lyng; Quigley;
M Jacob; O’Connor; Nolan;
Higgins; Stamp; R Jacob;

Is there anyone that I missed? I’m presuming Rory McCarthy will be used as an impact sub and that PJ Nolan and Ciarn Lyng will be options from the bench too.

2

Nearly right Bandage - Nolan’s injured but you got it right otherwise.

Higgins returns to lead Wexford
06/06/2007 - 12:17:08

Nigel Higgins will captain Wexford for their Leinster SHC semi-final showdown against Dublin on Saturday evening (throw-in 7pm).

Rathnure clubman Higgins will end his two-year absence from championship hurling at Nowlan Park, having returned to the Wexford panel in late April.

Wexford boss John Meyler has selected Higgins at right corner forward with Darren Stamp positioned at full-forward, and Diarmuid Lyng and Eoin Quigley partnering each other in midfield.

Higgins made a big impression for the Models in 2005 when he scored 9-15 in 11 Walsh Cup and National League matches, but work commitments saw him opt out of the panel later that summer.

In a notable switch, Meyler has named regular full-back David ‘Doc’ O’Connor at centre forward, given his recent performances in attack for St Anne’s in the Wexford club championship.

Groin strain victim Declan Ruth has been passed fit to play at full-back, but injury has got the better of Kevin Kavanagh, John O’Connor and PJ Nolan.

Despite recent challenge match defeats to Waterford and Limerick, Wexford will be confident of beating Dublin and progressing through to their seventh successive Leinster SHC final.

The Model men, who reached the NHL Division One semi-finals, have beaten Laois (twice), Offaly (twice), Dublin and Kilkenny in their last six Leinster semi-finals.

WEXFORD (SHC v Dublin) - D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D Ruth, P Roche; R Kehoe, K Rossiter, C Kenny; D Lyng, E Quigley; M Jacob, D O’Connor, P Carley; N Higgins (capt), D Stamp, R Jacob.

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Interesting stuff. It was a draw v Limerick and 1 point defeat to a full strength Waterford so hardly catastrophic.

Thought Bandage may ousted Fitzhenry given his recent performances on Wed nights. O’Connor’s move forward should strengthen the full back line no end.

4

undoubtedly. as long as he steers clear of the ball and any promising wexford attack he should get on fine

5

That Bandage kid really seems to know his stuff on Wexford GAA. He pretty much got the team spot on bar the wing forward position. I’ve also been impressed by his depth of knowledge on a whole host of other topics. Seems like a bit of a legend all things considered.

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This is it.

My summer starts here.

‘Winning All-Irelands is not really that important, it’s how you play the game. I am proud and privileged to have been part of a marvellous team.’ - Nickey Rackard after the 1955 All-Ireland victory.

His legend lives on and the mantle was passed on to Doran, then O’Connor and throught to the great Liam Dunne. It’s now time for a new Wexford hero to emerge. We can win an All-Ireland. Believe.

Up Wexford.

7

Although I can’t be there in person, my heart will be out there on the pitch … Loch Garman ab
I’d like to thank bandage and stevie g in advance for there updates and thoughts on the major developments during the game hi5
Just checked there and I think I’m able to get the sunday game tonight on rte.ie for the highlights, but does anyone know is the football on live tomorrow?

8

I think the live stuff on RTE.ie is only available in the island of Ireland.

9

This speech has alreadty received mention on tfk.com however, given the day that’s in it i think it is once again quite apt as us Wexicans set out on the road to glory…

"I’ve often said that wexford is the flower of them all but when you came tonight, and you look down through the streets of gorey at 30,000 people, and you come on through the small places like clough, camolin, ferns and into enniscorthy, and you look back at enniscorthy at that magnificent town with the bridge in the background, the cathedral on the hill and the chapel and the spires, you think to yourself what a beautiful place and what a beautiful part of the world.

And then to come into ferrycarrig and a whole snake of cars for ten miles, the two castles shining in the air, the moon on the water, and then you can say about the blood in your veins and the county that you come from that this is a special place.

And the colours that you hold over your head are purple and gold. That flag over your head is a symbol of everything that we stand for. That purple and gold isn’t an accident. It’s a fact and it’s tangible and the men who wore it on their backs yesterday and marched behind the band with pride and stood with respect before their president carried your colours- the colours of your county.

That colour is your colour and it represents everything you are and all that went before you, and the people who died in the streets of this very town. This is your colour and dont forget it. If you have pride in your own county, pride in the place that you come from, you become a very special breed of person…We are Wexford and don’t ever forget that."

Loch Garman abu!!

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2-3 Dublin to 1-6 Wexford after 30 minutes.

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Dubs a point up now.

12

2-7 each now. This is a cracking effort from Dublin so far.

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Wexford had gone 5 in front but Dublin have pulled them back to level scores with 70 minutes on the clock.

14

Barry Lambert has just won it for Wexford with a free from 90 yards.

15

Really dramatic stuff last night but the standard wasn’t the greatest. That said I heard a few people say the radio reports were calling it a classic.

A few points on the game:

  • Wexford definitely deserved to win that. 17 wides, and a whole host of other wasted opportunities, compared to 6 wides for Dublin. 10 points will rarely win a hurling game too.
  • Our full back line was completely at sea, bar Malachy Travers who himself got turned for the first goal. Skippy was flying out and attacking balls in the air like a centre back but when you’re full back then you don’t have the assurance of another line behind you. Their second goal came from him charging out and competing for a ball that Paul Roche was already going up for and leaving the lad with a clear run in on goal. Roche himself struggled at times and his direct opponent scored 1-2.
  • Our half back line was mostly on top but they never completely dominated either. Richie Kehoe and Ciaran Kenny were among our better performers however.
  • We won the midfield battle but never really stamped home our domination there. Eoin Quigley had 5 wides himself and I counted Gizzy having 3 wides even though he did a lot of good work himself too.
  • Doc justified his selection at centre forward with his mishit point attempt that was snapped up by Higgins for the opening goal. Carley might come under pressure to retain his place and Michael Jacob was quite economical in possession and took a couple of nice scores but I’d like to see him on the ball more.
  • Rory Jacob ended up with 1-3 but he was frustrating to watch at times by virtue of trying to get the ball in behind over the top and allowing his man to come out and clear from the front. He did stand up and was counted near the end though.
  • Higgins was largely disappointing but Tomas Brady is a cracking young hurler and did an excellent job on him. Still not sure on the Darren Stamp experiment but he did enough to warrant another crack in there.
  • Fair play to Barry for his cameo. He missed the free to level the All Ireland Under 21 Final with the last puck in 2001 so superb to see him experience the other sign of the coin.
  • We’ve plenty of improving to do and we will do it.
  • There was some cracking birds out in Kilkenny last night.
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…one of which i shared a romantic moment with. Bandage had no such moments but that will not be of surprise to anyone who knows him.

i was also interested to note that kilkenny has the lowest ratio of fat birds to hot birds of any county i’ve ever been to. i’d estimate one tubber for every 4 hotties as opposed to 4 tubbers for every one hottie in Dublin. it’s a really lovely place.

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In fairness Jugs I wasn’t looking for a brief clench in a sweaty niteclub.

I was looking for something more long term. A relationship if you will.

18

You are (and according to jugs, have) a fat little prick Bandage.

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I propose a 7 day ban for Appendage after his above invective. :’(

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You know my motivation for it. Get fooked.