Five talking points as Wexford suffer big loss to Cork in Allianz League opener

By Byron Jones at Wexford Park

Wexford 0-12

Cork 2-21

The Wexford Senior Hurling team faced a torrential barrage of rain, hail, wind, points and goals on Saturday evening in Wexford Park as they struggled to even compete with a stylish Cork outfit…

Cork won the toss and decided to use the strong wind and conditions in their favour in the first half and they delivered a fine free-scoring first-half display, with 1-12 scored by half time.

Even against the wind they added 1-9 in the second half and they were incredible to watch. In contrast, Wexford were sluggish, ponderous, nervous, and struggled with the basic skills which in turn, made them completely frustrated by their own performance.

However, Saturday night’s Wexford team did have a few debutants and very young players who have only before played a handful of games. It is crucial experience for them and things will get better and we must encourage them; support and be patient with them, and allow them to adjust to life in the 2025 League minus several key players.

Debutants

Despite the score-line, there were some lovely displays by the debutants in the Purple and Gold.

Firstly, I’ll get to Seán Rowley who came on as an early substitute, but sadly didn’t last relatively long, as he was unfortunately substituted due to what appeared to be a hamstring injury. However, during the time on the pitch, Rowley was industrious, uncompromising in physical battles and led several charges up the field, doing his best to take the fight to Cork and inspire those around him.

Another player that caught the eye was David Codd. The St Martins club man was one of few shining lights in the display. The young St. Martins man showed fabulous vision in crisp and intelligent passing. He was full of energy and passion. Early in the second half, he stormed up field on the uncovered stand side and from way out smashed over a unbelievable debut Wexford score much to his delight.

Jack Redmond came on quite early in the game and showed very well in a fine display. Wexford need tough Rathnure men in their team and Jack is a solid unit of Blackstairs granite and very skilful to boot. Jack will be very pleased as he was also on the score sheet with a nice score from about 45 out, straight in front of the posts in the second half.

Charlie McGuckin at wing-back

Charlie has become a household name on the Wexford starting team in the last few years, however this has mainly been in the half forward line, slightly unusual to him, as with Naomh Éanna Gorey he starts in the half back line. Starting at no.5 in Wexford Park on Saturday evening, Mc Guckin produced a very good display.

He was largely imperious in the air, several times launching himself into the air, through a thicket of bodies to pluck the sliotar clean out of the air or else recover soon after. He was very physical in defence and stood up his man several times.

In a pretty small defensive unit, he was invaluable on his side at least. I believe this is Charlie’s county position and the management team should keep him there in the half back line. He is very impressive and much needed in this position with his skillset and ariel presence.

Cian Byrne’s laser pointed frees

Cian Byrne – the young Fethard man with ice in his veins – perhaps even literally on a wintery night here in Wexford was in incredible form from a free taking point of view.

I believe in such difficult conditions nailing all his frees bar a very tired final effort is a real positive for Wexford hurling going forward. Byrne was stunningly mercurial with every free, from every angle and he really shone in this regard.

His free-taking ability provides a real back up strategy, should in future weeks Lee Chin goes down with a permanent or temporary injury in any given game as first choice free taker.

Wexford’s defensive woe’s and toothless attack

I apologise, but now I’m going to have to be a little bit salty on a defensive display that was at the best of times sloppy, nervous, and mistake-ridden. There was a severe lack of marking at times and puzzling lacks of connections between players in order to keep a solid spine and greater defensive unit.

In attack for 70 full minutes and injury time, Wexford racked up only a meagre 5 points from play and a sole easily saved goal opportunity.

Wexford started out with a sweeper system as Kevin Foley sat in the pocket to save guard his defence. It simply didn’t work as Cork outsmarted the system with pin point accurate passes leading to a huge score by half time and full time. Foley was subbed in the first-half tactically, but the blame surely unfairly laid at his door. Being honest, the Wexford defence couldn’t get the ball up,with poor marking on many glaring occasions, including one down the middle to an unmarked Corkinian from a puck out. Poor tackling was another key element, giving away rash fouls but most of all – too many basic errors in defence – were quickly and easily punished by slick Cork forwards.

With the injury to Rapparees club man Liam Ryan, I believe an enforcer in the full back line found from somewhere in the top tier of Wexford clubs needs to be found in order to dish out some punishment. He needs to be able to lead the defence out of tackles to start a down field attack for Wexford

In attack, on 21 minutes Wexford’s forwards had scored zero points from play and I don’t buy in to the ‘against the wind’ chatter. Work it through the lines, score from the 45 or 50. Some of the shot taking was abysmal; ending the match with just 5 points scored from play is pretty shocking no matter what.

Things need to sharp up quick as we face Tipp in Semple stadium, a proverbial graveyard for Wexford hurling teams next weekend.

I believe with changes in some personnel, some tactical changes, and a change in attitude, Tipp could be there for the taking. But it’s a tough task too.

Classy cute Cork crew leaves Captain seeing Red

I found myself on several occasions applauding ludicrous skill and scores by the Cork team, who were simply sublime on the night.

They outclassed Wexford in every position and segment and are surely in the groove for another crack at the All-Ireland title in 2025. The Rebels exuded pure typical lee-side confidence and as the rain and hail rattled in off Forth Mountain, they employed Samba hurling throughout in a stunning total hurling display.

On the night that was in it, Rory O’Connor on his big night as captain for the first time, had grown slightly more and more frustrated by his team’s display and some minor personal set backs within the game also.

Watch: Why Rory O’Connor and Dalton received straight red cards

On the 53rd minute mark after physical encounter for the sliotar under the stands around the Wexford defensive 45, hell broke loose briefly and big tussle of the ball led to a few hefty tackles, followed by pushes, then digs and finally an altercation between Rory and a Cork player, Declan Dalton, which led to two red cards and a sad end to the Martins massive day out as Captain. Post-match, Wexford manager, Keith Rossiter, indicated that Wexford will look at appealing O’Connor’s red card.

As a squad, the final score-line proved to be a very bad day at the office and it does not look well. Losing out on a score-line of a massive 2-21 to 0-12 at home is not a pretty picture

Wexford will look at the video, tweaks will be made, a new captain installed and new players started, but really and truly Tipperary away now becomes a crucial fixture as the spin into the final game vs Limerick away is quite daunting.