There must be something in the water
Holders and favouites, but nobody, and we mean nobody expected a Wexford side going for a third Leinster U21 hurling title in-a-row to beat Kilkenny by 0-17 points.
The seniors may have lost to Cork at the weekend, but with several players featuring in their second inter-county game in just a few days, the future looks bright for Wexford after a 4-17 to 1-9 win.
They may have missed out on All-Ireland glory in the last number of years, but we’ve picked out three players we feel could be crucial to the yellow bellies’ hopes of finally lifting the Cross of Cashel Cup this autumn.
Conor McDonald
He’s not all about scoring 1-10 in Leinster finals you know. He’s pretty good at assisting too.
The touch for this goal in their Leinster semi final win over Offaly made Henry Shefflin blush.
McDonald bounced back from a disappointing day against Cork at the weekend by scoring more than the entire Kilkenny team put together last night.
Last year’s young hurler of the year nominee, and he’s eligible for U21 again next year.
Jack O’Connor
You know you’ve made it when people love you more than a trade union leader
Have to say I am much more fond of Jack O'Connor the Wexford u21s player than the SIPTU latchico #Leinsterfinal
— Anne Marie O'Connor (@Kitsgirl1) July 8, 2015
O’Connor was outstanding for Wexford in Wednesday night’s win over Kilkenny, and if McDonald hadn’t burned the Kilkenny defence on his own then O’Connor could easily have been named man-of-the-match.
He didn’t feature in the weekend loss to Cork and that may account for his energy from wing back as well as his powerful clearances time and time again.
The Kilkenny attack found a purple and yellow wall every time they tried to move down his flank, while he also scored an early point to help Wexford recover from the Kilkenny goal after 13 seconds.
A future senior centre-back if Liam Dunne wishes to mould him there.
Kevin Foley
Wexford fans are probably wondering if their U21 team is so good then why isn’t there success at senior.
Limerick or Galway fans could answer that better than us, but Clare in recent years appear to perfected the formula for continuing under-age form into senior inter-county action.
One man who also has had little difficulty in stepping up is Kevin Foley of Rapparees.
The number 11 would probably fit into any side at senior or U21 in the country, and has a wonderful first touch as well as vision to pick out a pass.
He made his senior debut on Saturday and last night scored 0-3. We call that a pretty good four days for any hurler.
This point against Offaly in the Leinster semi final is possibly our favourite individual score of the year.
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