Boost as key Wexford hurler in fold to return for next game and Leinster championship

It hasn’t been the perfect start to the new campaign for the Wexford Senior hurlers…

In the 2025 Allianz National Hurling League, the Wexford hurlers were playing in Division 1A. Keith Rossiter’s men could only manage to secure one win from their five games so far, with that win coming in Ennis against reigning All-Ireland and League champions, Clare.

Losses came at the hands of Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny and most recently, Galway which was held in Wexford Park.

One of the criticisms at the start of the League campaign from many Wexford hurling supporters was that the team lacked size and experience. With the likes of Liam Og McGovern, Matt O’Hanlon, and Dee O’Keeffe all retiring, combined with injuries to Liam Ryan, Conor McDonald, Damien Reck, Shane Reck, Jack O’Connor, and Lee Chin (abroad), it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Yellowbellies to remain in Division 1A.

Notwithstanding the retirees, most of the above players have since returned to the playing field in recent games.

Both Damien Reck and Eoin Ryan went off injured in the Galway clash, but they are expected to return for their last Allianz League clash against Galway. It is no doubt helped by the fact that the next – and last – Allianz League clash of 2025 will not take place until March 22nd, allowing players will little niggles to return.

Another player that could make his return to the panel, or better – the match-day 15 for the Limerick clash – is Rapparees clubman, Liam Ryan.

Ryan’s presence in the full-back line has been severely missed. The Enniscorthy enjoyed a relatively injury-free career up until last year (hamstring), before picking up another injury which ruled him out of the current Allianz League campaign. The dominant defender has not yet featured for the Wexford Senior hurlers in 2025.

For Wexford to have the ever-consistent ‘Jippo’ back in the full-back line would be a significant boost for the team. It would be likely that he would slot directly into the full-back position for Keith Rossiter’s Senior hurling side, an area where Wexford have struggled somewhat since his injury.

From a Wexford perspective, it would be great to see him back wearing the purple and gold and dominating the defence like times gone by. The Wexford Senior hurlers have their first Leinster Championship game against Antrim, when former Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald comes to town, to try and produce another Antrim upset. This Wexford-Antrim Leinster SH Championship match takes place on April 19th 2025.

Meanwhile, full-forward Conor McDonald will not be available for the Limerick game after recently undergoing surgery. The Naomh Eanna clubman may return to the panel for some of the Leinster Championship games though.

One player that will miss Wexford’s last clash against Limerick, however, will be Fethard’s Cian Byrne as he still serves his two-game suspension.

Wexford sharpshooter to miss last Allianz Hurling League clash

Wexford will be taking on Limerick on March 22nd at the Gaelic Grounds. Depending on other results, it’s a game that both teams might need to win to avoid relegation. Other than the Limerick game, Wexford have played all of their games and the Model County can only accumulate more points should they defeat Limerick. On the other hand, Limerick still need to play Galway, Kilkenny, and Wexford. A win for Limerick in any of those remaining games, will see Wexford relegated to Division 1B.