Jason Ryan says his Wexford team is playing with confidence again after a disastrous 2009.

Many were quick to brand the Slaneysiders as a "one season wonder" after their heroics during Ryan's first season in charge in 2008, but they went a long way towards answering their critics by toppling Galway last weekend and setting up a mouth-watering clash with Cork this afternoon.

"2008 and 2009 were different extremes really. You had the sheer joy of one and then the absolute devastation of another," the Wexford manager said.

"I think what last year did is give the players more wisdom and appreciation. They realised that after losing to Dublin that we couldn't let the thing drop. The approach was to go out and show that we're better than 2009. Our first qualifier out against London was a banana skin and we were aware of that. We thought of the problems we encountered against Offaly and Roscommon last season, and sought to rectify them.

"Wexford's qualifier record is traditionally very poor. So achieving the wins over London and Galway have reinforced our belief in ourselves."

Ryan is in no doubt that Wexford have benefited from having former Irish rugby international Bernard Jackman in their camp.

"Bernard comes in at various stages in an advisory capacity for us. We met last year and I felt he was someone who could benefit the team. We've looked to tap into his experience with Leinster, Connacht, Sale and Ireland in professional sport.

"We use it to see how he's learnt with his difficulties. The players have built up a great rapport with him and he's a very good speaker. He gives us an interesting outlook."

And the Waterford native insists that Wexford aren't fazed about taking on one of the All-Ireland favourites.

"It was a case of prior to it that we looked at the draw and saw a lot of tough scenarios. Getting Kildare away was hard as they're good at home, while both Derry and Down would have been very long journeys.

"There didn't seem to be too many games that were pleasing. So the home draw was the main thing and it's good for southeast football that we have that. Cork are a very good team, no doubt about it. But it's the stage of the season where it's great to be still in it. The hard slog is over, it's about enjoying the games. That's what we're going to do," he added. Tweet

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