Five young Wexford hurlers to look out for in the 2024 Championships

After a good start to his Wexford tenure the future looks bright for Keith Rossiter and his Wexford Senior hurling charges…

As the club championship is now in full swing, these five young lads playing could be serious additions to his side so they can give the Leinster and the All-Ireland a serious rattle in the years to follow.

Jack Redmond (Rathnure St Anne’s), 21

Jack is a former student of Good Counsel New Ross and was the senior team’s top scorer when they won the Leinster title two years ago. He played center forward that year from play and was also hitting the frees. Redmond has developed into a really good leader for Rathnure and could be one of the reasons that they get promoted from the Intermediate ranks this year. Jack has had an up and down season so far, breaking his wrist early on but now seems to be in top form again scoring freely for his side. The Rathnure man seems to be a late developer as he never made a minor squad for the county. He did make the breakthrough with the county 20s for two years. This man could have a very bright future, whether in the half forward or full forward line for Wexford.

Eoin Whelan (St Mogue’s Fethard) 20

Whelan is definitely finding his feet this year. He would be your stereotypical modern day full back or center back. A man that is very comfortable on the ball as well as being clever in the air and on the ground. He is not afraid to raid forward from his central position to unleash efforts on the opposition goal. When not taking on scores, he is very clever on the ball and is always looking to create chances for his side. Eoin was on the minor side for two years before making the step up to the 20’s for another three years. With all this county experience, Whelan could be a man to watch in the next couple of years..

Darragh Keogh (Cloughbawn), 20

Wexford seem to be producing some great defenders in the last number of years and the Cloughbawn man is another one in this mold. He was one of the rocks in his side last year when they came up from the intermediate ranks. He is also an effective man marker and won’t be afraid of anyone he comes up against at club or even county level in the next couple of seasons. Kehoe has had a rollercoaster career so far at county level, picking up a knee injury while playing minor and then missed out the Leinster final too. After this, he made an immediate return to the pitch for the U20s where he played really well for the last couple of years. Even with all these injuries, Darragh is clearly a leader, organizer and very vocal towards9 his teammates. This sort of tenacious defender could come in useful for Rossiter and his charges over the next few years.

Michael Dundon (Clongeen), 20

Dundon is also a former Good Counsel student. He would have been part of that squad that won the Leinster championship. Dundon is a very versatile player who has played all over the back line midfield and in the forwards at times. Michael is known all over the county as a great man under a high ball when attacking out from his position. The Clongeen man is also a great distributor of the ball into the forward line. This young man is one of the reasons that his club have gone back-to-backpromotions in the hurling ranks in the county. He clearly has no issue playing at the higher level whether at club or county level

Cathal Parker (Horsewood), 20

Parker is another sharp shooting forward to come out of Horsewood. This young man played minor and 20s squads for two years at a time. Cathal is fortunate enough to be back playing the sport as he picked up a collarbone injury and missed most of last year. He was another key member of the victorious Good Counsel side from a couple of years ago along with being a pivotal member of his club side’s march to the All-Irelandjunior semifinal. Cathal was an inside forward on that side as he made the step up to the intermediate ranks quite seamlessly scoring at will for his side. The campile man can also play out in the half forward line, he rarely wastes the ball, has a great eye for a pass and isn’t afraid to shoot from long range.

With these players from all the ranks and a number of others that nearly made the list the future looks bright for the yellow bellies for the next couple of seasons.