Conor McDonald and Des Mythen share prediction for Wexford Senior hurling final

The Wexford Senior Hurling final takes place today in Chadwicks Wexford Park…

Both St Martins and St Annes will battle it out for silverware in today’s highly anticipated final, between what were the two in-form teams of the championship.

Current Naomh Eanna clubman and Wexford Senior hurler, Conor McDonald, shared his prediction ahead of the final:

“On paper, everyone will say the Martins – if they do hit form. We played them in 2018 and a lot of people would have probably backed them and we felt like if we really turned up.. I’d be honest, I think the Annes – every single day you play them – they’re a 8.5 out of 10. That’s not going to change. The Martins are going to have to put in a serious performance to get over the line, but I do think they’re coming and that their game plan is suited to these weather conditions. Barry O’Connor started the last day, and effeciency with the ball – and the way he does it, he incorporates other players such as Rory O’Connor. I think they do have the X-factor… I have a sneaky feeling about the Annes, but I’ll go with the Martins. A political answer, I know,” McDonald said at the Spiegeltent in Wexford town for a Wexford Senior hurling preview night.

Meanwhile, Oulart-The Ballagh clubman and Wexford Senior hurling selector Des Mythen also shared his prediction:

“I’m undecided. There’s a couple of injuries with the Annes – Brian Kavanagh and Paudi Doyle. They will be huge losses for the Annes if they’re not playing. I’d be favouring the Annes slightly if they did. As Conor said, they will go hard. That’s what they are; that’s a compliment. They have good hurlers. Justin Moran, Paudi Doyle, Andrew Moran, Dee O’, and Liam Og. I’m not sure if the Martins have a great match up for Liam Og McGovern. Rory’s on fire – but the last couple of games, he has been less than he has in the group stages.”

“Maybe that’s dangerous. Conor had a poor championship last year; I went to bed on the Saturday night and I thought, if we stop Conor McDonald, we’ll win this match – then he scored 1-04 and they won by 6 points. I’d be a little bit worried about Rory – that’s what top forwards do. He will be picked up by Eoin Ryan who’s a really good man marker too. I’m going to go with the Annes on the basis that they have the basis that they have everybody, but if not, I’ll go with the Martins. The Annes have an age profile of about 12 lads under 30, and the rest under 20. I think the Annes will win one – this year or next year. They’ve too much going on down there now,” he said at the Spiegeltent in Wexford town.

One of the players that Mythen alluded to was Brian Kavanagh, who had broken his arm in the Annes’ semi-final win – so he will be missing in today’s final.

It’ll be interesting to see how this match plays out and there’s a lot of interest for it. The Wexford SHC will also be broadcasted live on TV at 2pm.