Wexford county hurling team

The Wexford county hurling team represents Wexford in hurling and is governed by Wexford GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship and the National Hurling League.

Wexford's home ground is Wexford Park, Wexford. The team's manager is Darragh Egan.

The team last won the Leinster Senior Championship in 2019, the All-Ireland Senior Championship in 1996 and the National League in 1973.

The team is nicknamed the Model Men,[1] the Slaneysiders,[2] the Yellowbellies[3][4] or the Purple and Gold.[5]

Crest and colours

Wexford sporting colours are purple and gold. This iconic choice was made in 1913 before using the colours of county champions clubs[6] Disposal of the colours is changed during the year, being the traditional kit mostly gold with a purple horizontal half. Since the 1990s purple has gained more importance and has been used in sleeves and with gradients. The current kit is mainly purple with golden trims.

The crest has been changed several times. Until 1996, the team used Wexford Town's traditional crest (three burning wooden ships) then they adopted the new county's coat of arms. Since 2006, Wexford GAA launched their own logo, used also on the jerseys.

Kit evolution
Classic kit
c. 2014

Team sponsorship

Zurich Insurance Group sponsored the team on a four-year deal from 2020, following an announcement in October 2019.[7]

History

Hurling is one of the most prominent sports in Wexford. This is in evidence in several one-sided results over the years: Kildare were beaten by 14–15 to 1–1 in an 1897 Croke Cup match. The Antrim team were beaten by 12–17 to 2–3 in a 1954 All-Ireland semi-final. Nicky Rackard, who scored 7–7 at that day, was Wexford's greatest hurler. He starred in two clashes with Cork in 1954 and 1956. Wexford lost the first after having a goal disallowed, but won the second with the combination of an Art Foley save and Nicky Rackard goal in the closing minutes.

In the 1970s, the distinctive red-haired Tony Doran was the star as Kilkenny and Wexford played ten Leinster finals in succession. In 1984 they claimed that the final whistle was blown prematurely when they were beaten by a single point in the Leinster final.

In 1996 Wexford, led by Liam Griffin and captained by Martin Storey, brought the Liam MacCarthy Cup back to Slaneyside for the first time since 1968; they were waiting 28 years. Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary have dominated the honours in recent years.

Wexford won a Leinster SHC title in 2004.

2009

In 2009, Wexford took part in Division 2 of the Allianz National Hurling League. After their shock defeat by Antrim, in which the Saffrons made a memorable comeback, Wexford improved to take a place in the division 2 final against Offaly. The yellowbellies were favourites, having beaten them earlier in the league, however Colm Bonnar's men did not perform on the day. It was a massive disappointment, meaning Wexford will be outside of hurling's top tier for the second year running. The Leinster championship arrived and Wexford had a chance for redemption with an opening round clash against Offaly. They gained revenge with Stephen Banville starring in a comfortable victory, with the aid of home advantage. Up next was Dublin and a younger more talented city side prevailed. This was followed up by defeat in the qualifiers against Limerick.

2010

In 2010, Wexford took part in Division 2 of the Allianz National Hurling League once again playing this time against Clare. The Model men were once again the favourites, having such a good league experience. Despite a disappointing performance Wexford still ran out winners at the end only to be promoted back to Division 1 of the Allianz National Hurling League after waiting three years. Wexford began the Leinster Championship 2010 with a defeat to Galway in Nowlan Park despite having a good second half.

2011

In 2011, Wexford took part in the Division 1 Allianz National Hurling League. Throughout the league campaign, it seemed the standard of The Model County was poor, but when it mattered in the last two games to stay up, they beat Offaly and Cork. They defeated Cork by 1–16 to 1–15 before drawing level with champions Tipperary. The championship began with the opening against Antrim which proved too easy for Wexford. The second game saw The Model County with home advantage against old rivals Kilkenny however it was Kilkenny's evening. Wexford exited in the qualifiers, for the second year in three, against Limerick which led to the resignation of Colm Bonnar as manager. He was replaced by Oulart the Ballagh manager Liam Dunne.

Dunne era: 2011–16

In 2013, Wexford missed out promotion to Division 1A despite making progress. The Leinster Championship saw The 'Slaneysiders' take on Dublin at a very sunny soaked Wexford Park on Saturday 8 June with both sides starting very poorly despite Dublin racing into an early lead 0–4 to 0–1 before Wexford rallied back and brought the game level before Jack Guiney hit a rocket of a goal to restore the lead for the home side only for the Dubs to outscore with points from Joey Boland, Shane Durkan & Michael Carton. The 2nd half proved to be a real contest as Wexford looked like causing a real upset only for Eamon Dillion to score a late goal to secure Dublin's lead before a last minute free from Jack Guiney forced a replay with it ending 1–17 apiece. The replay took place in Parnell Park on 15 June which proved to be quite a disaster for Wexford as Andrew Shore was sent off after 5 minutes before Dublin rallied on to win 1–17 to 0–12 to advance to the Semi-final. Wexford had a good run through the qualifiers thrashing Antrim 3–18 to 0–17 before getting the better of Carlow 2–16 to 0–20 before eventually losing to eventual 'All Ireland Champions' Clare at a very sunny scorched Semple Stadium despite dragging the game to extra-time 3–24 to 1–20 the final result.

In 2014, Wexford advanced to the League Quarter Final only to lose to Leinster rivals Kilkenny. The Leinster opener saw Wexford trash Antrim 5–19 to 0–21 at O'Moore Park on 1 June to advance the semi-final only to lose to reigning Leinster champions Dublin. The run through the qualifiers proved to be a real surprise as they looked like dethroning the reigning All Ireland Champions Clare at Cusack Park on 5 July only to end in a draw despite going to extra-time ending 2–25 apiece. The replay took place the following week 12 July at Wexford Park with Clare looking like they were going through only Wexford rallying back to bring the match level & extra-time once again before Wexford eventually ran out winners 2–25 to 2–22. They played Munster rivals Waterford the following Saturday with Wexford getting a decent lead during the first with rocket of goals ending the match 3–15 to 2–15. The Quarter Final saw Munster finalists Limerick hammer a very exhausted Wexford side 4–26 to 1–11.

Fitzgerald era: 2016–21

Davy Fitzgerald was appointed manager in 2016.[8]

Davy Fitzgerald took over as manager of the team for 2017, and made progress by reaching the Leinster SHC final for the first time in nine years. In the final the team played Galway. Fitzgerald was appointed after the departure of Liam Dunne, who also played a huge part in their recent success. The team has lost only one game so far in 2017, which was in the Walsh Cup semi-final by a single point against Kilkenny. The team won promotion to Division 1A, went unbeaten in the Allianz League: Wexford defeated Limerick, Galway, Laois, Offaly and Kerry, and defeated Kilkenny at Nowlan Park on a scoreline of 2-18 0–19 in the NHL quarter-final. The team faced All-Ireland SHC winners Tipperary in the NHL semi-final, which the team lost after goals from Tipperary in the closing minutes. Recently the team beat Laois 3–25 to 1–19 in Portlaoise in the Leinster SHC quarter-final, and defeated Kilkenny at Innovate Wexford Park. This brought Wexford to Croke Park for the Leinster SHC final against Galway, but the team lost that game by a scoreline of 1–17 to 0–29, Galway going on to win the All-Ireland SHC that year. Wexford played Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoímh in the All-Ireland SHC quarter final, but lost by three points.

Wexford's most recent hurling success was in the 2019 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Final when the team defeated Kilkenny. In the Leinster SHC semi-final, a draw in Wexford Park between Wexford and Kilkenny made it a rematch for the final.

Wexford won the 2019 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.

Fitzgerald resigned after Wexford's 2021 season ended.[9]

Current panel

Team as per Wexford vs Clare in the All-Ireland SHC qualifier, 14 November 2020

No. Player Position Club
1 Mark Fanning Goalkeeper Glynn-Barntown
2 Simon Donohoe Right corner back Shelmaliers
3 Liam Ryan Full back Rapparees
4 Joe O'Connor Left corner back St Martin's
5 Paudie FoleyWD[10] Right half back Crossabeg Ballymurn
6 Matthew O'Hanlon (j.c.) Centre back St James'
7 Shaun Murphy Left half back Oulart the Ballagh
8 Diarmuid O'Keeffe Midfield St Anne's
9 Lee Chin (j.c.) Midfield Faythe Harriers
10 Liam Óg McGovern Right half forward St Anne's
11 Rory O'Connor Centre forward St Martin's
12 Aidan Nolan Left half forward Halfway House Bunclody
13 Kevin Foley Right corner forward Rapparees
14 Conor McDonald Full forward Naomh Éanna
15 Paul MorrisRET[11] Left corner forward Ferns St Aidan's
No. Player Position Club
16 James Lawlor Substitute Ferns St Aidan's
17 Damien Reck Substitute Oylegate-Glenbrien
18 Shane Reck Substitute Oylegate-Glenbrien
19 Gavin Bailey Substitute Ferns St Aidan's
20 Conal Flood Substitute Cloughbawn
21 David Dunne Substitute Davidstown-Courtnacuddy
22 Mikie Dwyer Substitute Fethard St Mogues
23 Jack O'Connor Substitute St Martin's
24 Ian Byrne Substitute Ferns St Aidan's
25 Harry Kehoe Substitute Cloughbawn
26 Cathal Dunbar Substitute Naomh Éanna

INJ Player has had an injury which has affected recent involvement with the county team.
RET Player has since retired from the county team.
WD Player has since withdrawn from the county team due to a non-injury issue.

Current management team

Managerial history
Davy Fitzgerald managed Wexford to a first Leinster Senior Hurling Championship title for fifteen years in 2019.

Mick Kinsella 1981–1983

Christy Keogh 1983–1984

Christy Keogh 1984–?

Oliver McGrath 1987–1989

Martin Quigley 1989–1992

Christy Keogh (2) 1992–1994

Liam Griffin 1994–1996

Rory Kinsella 1996–1999

Joachim Kelly 1999–2000

Tony Dempsey 2000–2002

John Conran 2002–2004

Séamus Murphy 2004–2006

John Meyler 2006–2008

Colm Bonnar 2008–2011

Liam Dunne 2011–2016

Davy Fitzgerald 2016–2021

Darragh Egan 2021–2023

Players

Notable players

Conor McDonald: 100 appearances[13]

Most appearances
Further information: All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship records and statistics § All-time appearances

Top scorers
Further information: All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship records and statistics § All-time top scorers

Honours

National

Provincial

References
  1. "Model men find an extra gear to drive Waterford off course". Independent.ie. 19 July 2014.
  2. "Slaneysiders fail to trouble Banner". The Clare Champion. 29 March 2012.
  3. "Up the Yellowbellies". Gorey Guardian. 21 July 2013.
  4. "Wexford: A Sleeping Giant Awoken Or Another False Dawn?". Pundit Arena. 21 July 2016. Wexford were full value over Cork in Semple Stadium two weeks ago. As they were dancing at the crossroads in the south-east, there was a sense that the Yellowbellies are back in the big-time.
  5. "'It was a huge honour and privilege to wear the Purple and Gold' — Morris calls it a day". Hogan Stand. 2 December 2022.
  6. "GAA County Colours". Archived from the original on 28 September 2015.
  7. "We are very proud of our close association with GAA in Wexford". Hogan Stand. 11 May 2020.
  8. "Davy Fitzgerald named new Wexford manager". RTE. 7 October 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  9. "Davy Fitzgerald steps down as Wexford boss". RTÉ. 30 July 2021. 'I have informed the County Board that I will not be in a position to continue in my role as Bainisteoir of the Wexford Senior Hurling team', Fitzgerald, who took over in 2016 and led the team to the Leinster title in 2019, said.
  10. "Blow for Davy Fitzgerald as Paudie Foley opts out of Wexford hurling fold". Irish Independent. 16 April 2021.
  11. "Wexford star Paul Morris announces inter-county retirement". RTÉ. 1 December 2022.
  12. Furlong, Brendan (5 October 2021). "Egan busy behind scenes finalising backroom crew". Wexford People.
  13. "Conor McDonald to make one hundredth appearance for Wexford Senior hurlers in must-win game against Kilkenny". Wexford People. 20 May 2022.
  14. "Leinster U21 HC final: Magical Model maul Cats for three-in-a-row". Hogan Stand. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015. This is the first time since 1971 that the Model County have managed to string together three successive provincial titles at this level but the 2015 team surely has eyes on bringing the All-Ireland home for the second time (Wexford's sole All-Ireland U21 title was won in 1965).
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