Opinion: The Shelmaliers And Oulart Are Putting Wexford On The Map

It’s one of the strangest conundrums that the GAA player has to face following a county final win. How much can we celebrate here?….

It’s strange in that for many on the team, reaching the big day in Wexford Park is the culmination of nights and nights of hard work.

Denying yourself the cupcake in the spring to lift the cup in the autumn. Pushing through all the noise to get on the big stage and perform.

Many see it as not only a privilege but a duty to celebrate with the parish after bringing the pride and bragging rights back from battle. But even then, with debauchery all around, the question is always gnawing away in the back of the mind, what about the next step?

Outside of the county boundaries, the Wexford Senior Football Championship is lauded and pitied in equal measure. Supporters will point to the intensity and unpredictable nature of each knockout war. 8 different winners in the last 12 seasons displays a fierce competition where anyone can be beaten on their day.

This is rightly celebrated and the Wexford football fan can brag to his countrymen of the entertainment on his doorstep. However, up until recently, the others would reply with the undeniable ace in their pocket.

‘No wins in Leinster since 2004’, they’d cry. Every county champion forced the carry the shame of not getting it done further afield. Like the Premier League in the early part of the last decade, the standard bearers were often so tired after triumphing back home they’d come unstuck against their foreign counterparts.

It was another stick to beat the football man with as he also watched the intercounty side shrink away from the upper tiers. The big ball became an annoyance to those running the game and it needed a shakeup. Then from over the water, something was rumbling.

13/2. That was the odds given to Shelmaliers as the bookies expected them to be the latest lambs served up to Leinster slaughter. Traveling away to the Louth top dogs Naomh Mairtin, who had already had a game under their belt, this would be a mere formality. Wexford would once again go home with the head bowed and pat itself on the back for another exciting champion that failed at the first hurdle.

Except that is not what happened.

Shels were hungry, Shels were hurt, and Shels weren’t going to lay down. Goals from Eoghan Nolan and Ross Banville finally put the provincial ghosts to bed. JP Rooney and co vanquished to set up a semi final with Naas this coming weekend. The odds were discussed after. It had been a major motivating factor in the victory. The Yellowbellies certainly not living up to the moniker this time not that we should be surprised.

If any team was going to break the witch’s curse, it’s fitting that it was this Shels side. Title holders twice in the last 3 years, in Hollymount they’ll tell you it should have been a treble. Hard to argue really. It’s a club becoming used to that winning feeling.

Not only beating opponents but forcing them to submit to unbelievable pressure from all around the field. Speed and cunning matched by heart and brute force, they can play the game in any manner they like. They showed they’re not intimidated by long journeys and will relish the trip to Croke Park at the weekend.

Naas are not to be trifled with in any case. Against Blessington, they should a ruthless streak that may prove unstoppable in HQ. Double goal scorer Eoin Griffin will need to be shackled and no better man that James Cash to keep him quiet on the day. Also, watch out for the runs from deep. Brian Kane got himself a major the last day and will fly up the field at any opportunity. It may be a case of a shootout this weekend and John Hegarty will need to use every weapon in his arsenal if they’re to achieve success.

They’re not the only Wexford side hoping for glory on Saturday either. Stepping up to the plate in Nowlan Park is the excellent Oulart The Ballagh senior camogie women. Unlike the footballers, the camógs have known no fear in Leinster or the All Ireland series.

The Red and Black are the latest to reach the national final following a domination from whistle to whistle in the semi final. Derry’s queenpins Slaughtneil proved no match for Colin Sunderland’s side.

Still backboned by senior intercounty veterans, Oulart have shown a way to keep the older heads around while incorporating the young bloods. A lesson their hurlers might take note of during their sojourn to the intercounty ranks. Yes, Una Leacy is still raising green flags and yes Ursula Jacob is as deadly as a missile from the placed ball, but it’s the likes of Anais Curran who is bringing a freshness to this latest All Ireland challenge.

They’ve been to the dance before and know what it takes to be successful. They’ll call on the memories of 2012 and 2015 to down Sarsfields and bring another title home. Remember, only for their protests and defiance, this 2020 championship might not even be played at all. With another Leinster title up from grabs in the new year, Oulart will be hoping that Christmas comes early on Saturday.

We also have to salute the non stop rise of Crossbeg Ballymurn who face their own Leinster semi final this weekend. Trim GAA stands in their way of an Intermediate provincial decider but with the momentum built up in the Wexford men, they will be setting their sights on bigger challenges ahead.

Likewise, we cannot forget Oylegate-Glenbrien who also have an important Intermediate Leinster Championship coming up against Naas of Kildare.

Best of luck to all teams and Loch Garman Abu!

Oulart Final And Shelmaliers Game To Be Broadcasted Live On TV