Multiple Wexford stars ruled out of upcoming Cork Allianz Hurling League clash

A difficult opening battle has become even more difficult…

That comes after Wexford Senior hurling manager, Keith Rossiter, has provided a damning injury update on the Wexford inter-county squad ahead of their upcoming opening clash in the Allianz Hurling League.

Wexford will play last year’s All-Ireland hurling finalists, Cork, in the opening game of the Allianz Hurling League this weekend, which will form part of a double-header with the Wexford Senior footballers under-lights in Wexford Park.

However, it’s not good news for the Wexford faithful, with multiple stars ruled out of the clash ahead of the game.

Along with dealing with the retirements of Dee O’Keeffe and Matthew O’Hanlon, long-serving Wexford hurler and St Annes club man Liam óG McGovern remains unsure about his inter-county future and will not feature this weekend.

Wexford captain, Lee Chin, is currently travelling – and although he’s not injured, he will not be available for the start of the Allianz League campaign due to these travel commitments.

Wexford will be without full-back, Liam Ryan, who is still battling with an injury that plagued his 2024 season with the Purple and Gold.

Alongside Ryan, full-forward Conor McDonald has been ruled out for the majority of Allianz Hurling League campaign and maybe even the start of the Leinster Championship campaign due to a “muscular problem.”

As mentioned on a recent article in the Irish Examiner, centre-back Damien Reck suffered a hamstring pull against Kildare in a challenge match last Sunday week and he’s unlikely to feature. Similarly, St Martins clubman Jack O’Connor is also recovering from a hamstring injury and he has been ruled out of the clash.

It’s far from an ideal start for Keith Rossiter and his management team, who enter their second season in charge of the Wexford Senior hurling team. Even though it will certainly be an uphill battle against the Rebels this weekend, the injury list does provide an opportunity for youngsters and fringe players to lay down a maker and to impress the management. These youngers will be chomping at the bit to get their hands on a jersey in the starting fifteen – hoping to hold onto it as the new campaign progresses.

With the number of injuries and players ruled out, it will be interesting to see the squad that Rossiter lines out against Cork this weekend on January 25th at Wexford Park.