Chin: “We want to be competing at this level and stay in this division”

The Wexford Senior hurlers defeated Clare on Sunday in Ennis…

It was the Wexford hurler’s first victory of the campaign, coming at the hands of the current National League champions and All-Ireland champions in their home patch.

It was a result that Wexford hurling needed to revive some hope. After suffering three defeats in the opening three games to Cork, Tipperary, and Kilkenny, the mood was low from a Wexford hurling perspective.

But, their win against Clare has changed things somewhat.

Although still fighting a relegation battle as two teams will be relegated from Division 1A and two teams promoted from Division 1B, one could argue that the Wexford revival has began. Their second-half performance against Kilkenny, along with their 70-minute performance against Clare, was hugely positive – especially when viewing in contrast to some of the other lacklustre performances.

Keith Rossiter and the Wexford Senior hurling team were helped by the returning Lee Chin, who was called in to replace Corey Byrne Dunbar and was placed directly at centre-forward for the Clare clash after an extended Winter break. On his return, a refreshed Chin scored 0-05, with three points coming from play – and it didn’t look like he was out of action since the Wexford Senior hurling club championship back in October.

Chin’s recent comments also resonate with passionate Wexford hurling supporters.

In a post-match interview with Sun Sport, the Faythe Harriers club man emphasised that their Allianz League campaign is not over yet.

“It was just important for us to get a victory. We want to be kind of competing at this level and we want to stay in this division. Hopefully a win like this will be a step towards achieving that,” the 32-year old Wexford man said.

With Chin’s return and with Rory O’Connor likely to return for next week’s clash, there is certainly hope for Wexford. With these two additions – and when they’re on song – Wexford can trouble any team. Damien Reck is also back to his best at centre-back, Kevin Foley has returned from injury, while Shane Reck received some game time at the end of the Clare match, much to the delight of the Wexford supporters.

“Wins like this can bring a bit of morale and camaraderie among the group as well and a bit of enjoyment. I suppose in the last three weekends we’ve been out in the National League, we’ve been beaten and beaten relatively well. It’s not easy going back into training every week when you’re being beaten for a few weeks on the bounce. For ourselves anyway, we needed to get going, we needed to get a performance…. a win like this can enhance the mood a bit during the week,” he told Sun Sport.

One could argue that Wexford haven’t been good enough to remain in the top tier. Realistically, they haven’t been, judging from their opening three games. But, that team was heavily impacted by injuries too, along with Keith Rossiter trying to find his best fifteen after the three retirements leading into 2025. Now, though, the team is beginning to come back together and the panel looks stronger, with younger players receiving game time.

Their performance against Clare, however, highlights that they do belong there. This was a Clare team with the likes of Tony Kelly, John Conlan, Mark Rogers, and Davy Fitzgerald all returning to Brian Lohan’s match-day 15. The match-day announcement was described as Clare’s “strongest side of 2025” by the Clare Echo ahead of the game. Nine of their starting team against Wexford started in All-Ireland final victory over Cork. Wexford have proven that they can mix it with the best in the country on any day – and although a difficult task remains, the hope for Wexford hurling has been revived. We have been given a lifeline.

Wexford have two remaining games in the Allianz Hurling League. They take on Galway next week at home, before a three-week break awaits until their trip to take on Limerick.

One thing is for sure: the Wexford hurlers will need a huge crowd cheering them on when the Tribesmen come to town next weekend. Their result against Clare is a step in the right direction. But, Wexford are a team – and always have been – a team that thrives off momentum. A win against Galway would set up a relegation battle away to Limerick in the final game.

Is it difficult? Yes.

It is impossible? No.

On the other hand, a loss for Wexford against Galway would kill momentum, and even if they defeated Limerick away, they may still need results to go their way to survive the relegation drop. This weekend’s clash against Galway has all the makings of a cracker. And with the game not being broadcast live on RTE or any streaming platform, Wexford fans do not have any excuse not to get out and support their team when they need it.