Half time thoughts:

Rory O is a joy to watch, and when on form is easily in the top 10 players in the country. Each of his four points were top quality. I have vouched for him to be played inside for a while now, and if he is given quality ball he will thrive. I think Mac is lost in the corner so far, although scored a clever point and won a hard-earned free.

Oisin and Charlie aren't as prominent so far but it's to be expectant as they are still in their bedding-in period. I think the referee is giving soft frees to both sides.

Donohe has been exposed for their two major goal chances so far and only for an excellent save from Fanning second time around, we would be a bit disappoined at the break.

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1500 - 13/02/2022 14:24:15    2400100

Absolutely delighted with that. A very solid display. Some excellent scores and incredible defending at times. That had everything.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3820 - 13/02/2022 15:21:49    2400108

Can't help but be encouraged by the start of Egan's tenure. I was one of the nay-sayers after our non-show vs. Dublin but we have been excellent ever since, under the caveat that it's only February and Limerick and Clare weren't at full strength.

Started the second half tamely enough but pushed on thereafter. Think I counted five long-range points in the half, and only for ROC being denied a second goal from a great save, our fitness and running game told in the end.

Jacko is an enigma, can just as easily score monsters from way out the field as miss a couple of scoreable frees, and perhaps doesn't impose himself on the game. I assume he is a place-holder until Chin returns.

Dwyer's strength is deceptive, he is very good at breaking through the tackle and can take a score too. I'd have him-Mac-ROC as the starting full-forward line come championship time. McGuckin worked hard and grew into the second half even if made a couple of mistakes. Dee and Mogie are a good tandem in midfield, and with Kevin Foley to come back, we are well stocked there.

Good to emerge from Ennis with a win, and 2-20 is a good tally for this time of year. We will know more after the Cork and especially the Galway games.

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1500 - 13/02/2022 15:26:06    2400109

Good win but made heavy weather of beating an average looking Clare side. Donohoe was badly exposed twice for a player of his experience and he could have been at fault for 2 goals only for fanning. I think Shane reck might be a better option for corner back or Shaun Murphy if fit. McGovern had a poor game too and has been a bit of a passenger in both games so far. Rory was the difference and take his 1-4 out of it and we'd have lost that game which is worrying. If he's not playing, it's hard to see where scores from play will come from. Jacko had a good game too but we still have a problem with free taking. Be nice to see Dunbar get an extended run in the team when the fitzgibbon is over. He will add a bit of class.

Purpleandgold72 (Wexford) - Posts: 274 - 13/02/2022 15:41:44    2400114

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16513 - 13/02/2022 16:13:36    2400121

beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1500 - 13/02/2022 16:17:29    2400125

I thought Donohue played really well today - he cleared a huge amount of ball. Hanlon and Ryan were both excellent too. Paudie Foley was great as was Reck and Flood showed his pure class in the second half.

This was a very significant win in my opinion as it showed great character and a above all else consistency when it comes to performances. I was disappointed that Mc Guckin, Oisin Foley and Dwyer had quiet games. Rory o Connor was immense and Jack hurler well too. Mac did some good work but the game passed him by for long periods and many times our half backs hit awful wides from distance as Mac wasn't available for the long ball. Dee was his usual self and took his goal very well. Liam Og was quiet enough but put Dee through very well for the goal and played pretty well. Fanning had a series of top class saves and showed he is fearless.

Well done to all involved

Yellow (Wexford) - Posts: 589 - 13/02/2022 16:40:37    2400133

I think they try out Damien reck on those long range frees I've seen him take them for oleygate and does quite well on them. With paudie on them he has scored a few of them but they're often going wide and ino they're hard to score but you'd be hoping to get something out of frees if your to win games. I must say the most improved hurler this year for us has to be matthew I didn't think much of him for the last few years but this year its hard to fault him so far.

Yellowbelly97 (Wexford) - Posts: 17 - 13/02/2022 16:47:37    2400134

Wouldn't agree that Dwyer had a quiet game I thought he was great some man to burst through. I thought Paudie was poor enough by his standards tbh dropped a lot of ball but I seem to be the only one with that opinion. Fanning and ROC the two best players on the pitch today, some amazing saves from Fanning and Rory is one of the best hurlers in the country of that there is no doubt.

Delighted with the start we've made and also with the more use were making of Mac and Rory in that inside line those long balls into both will be fruitful throughout the year I feel.

ChinCanHurl (Wexford) - Posts: 302 - 13/02/2022 17:11:36    2400139

Congrats Wexford.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3129 - 13/02/2022 17:39:58    2400149

Thought darragh Egan summed it up pretty well on the radio…a mixed performance. Very good in patches and bang average in others. Delighted to see Rory O'Connor back and looking so sharp. Thought Conor Mac struggled for long periods although the quality of ball going into him was of the 50/50 type. Matt ohanlon has been consistently our best player so far this year and deserves due recognition after so many had written him off including myself. Big challenge awaits in salt hill in a fortnight but great to be going there with two wins

HurlingBuzz (Wexford) - Posts: 554 - 13/02/2022 18:50:49    2400172

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 13/02/2022 19:08:25    2400178

What's the story with all the wexford and ex wexford hurlers and their relationship with the roles of the road?

gahfan (Wexford) - Posts: 639 - 13/02/2022 19:44:57    2400186

WEX98 (Wexford) - Posts: 546 - 13/02/2022 19:56:24    2400192

countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 839 - 13/02/2022 20:24:32    2400200

Another good win.
Style of play is obvious, win possession with a deep extra man at times, move it through the lines and play it in to space wide after the team have pushed up the field to even the numbers up. Not win the ball, run into a blind alley, cough it up as was the plan last 2 years.
O'Connor was able to make hay in the first half and the game was won then. Plenty to improve on but a dogged performance. Free taking needs to improve but better find that out in Feb.
Clare have a few to come back, so do we. Flood put his hand up in the 2nd half. Dwyer is an interesting one, he attracts lots of attention and can win frees and hold the ball up and take opponents out of the game.
Competition for places is really heating up, a dream scenario.
We look well coached, not over coached, and are able to mix the long ball with playing it through the lines. That said, it is only Feb.
Well done GCC, go win the All Ireland now.
Hope we stick with McGuckin, Flood, Dwyer, Foley etc for the league and see where they are at. Won't mind being beaten by Galway/Cork once there is method to it.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1894 - 13/02/2022 21:17:29    2400213

HurlingBuzz (Wexford) - Posts: 554 - 13/02/2022 21:39:52    2400219

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16513 - 14/02/2022 07:31:20    2400226

Reck played a lot of the second half at centre back with Paudie wing back. Will Duggan come back as good as he was after two years in oz and now an injury I doubt it. Will o donnell be as good coming back with concussion issues that 50/50 ball will he Sherk it possibly. Don't get me wrong I hope Clare along with us get back up there.

On our performance very hard working and great result Ennis a tough spot to go to. Taught Rory was outstanding and if we can ever get a 70 minute performance out of him we will have a serious hurler. Could of had 3 6 yesterday but I'll take 1 4 on his first game. Second half wides again was a worry some poor execution. Paudie hit and hopes have to stop and we need a long range free taker. Mcguckian and flood grew into the game the longer it went on. Mickie Dwyer very industrious works very hard.

Macs first point was unreal. Clare player picked up the ball he took it off his hurl and over the bar before the Clare chap knew where it was.

We have to be happy two from two and playing decent hurling

Wexfordgaa (Wexford) - Posts: 370 - 14/02/2022 08:22:19    2400228

Only League and only middle of February but plenty to be encouraged about on the whole. Fanning's contribution was obvious while Flood up there as maybe the most consistent performer of the last 2 weeks, Reck really came to the fore in the 2nd half while O'Hanlon had a right battle with Conlon, Dee got on a huge amount of ball again while Rory possibly tired in the 2nd half but was unplayable in the 1st, a few mentioned the threat his posses inside and rightly so but 1 of his best qualities is he can be so effective anywhere from 8-15 in my view, if he's in the FF line getting no ball he's well capable of coming out the field and decidating things and picking off long range scores, Dwyer was sloppy once or twice with pick ups or striking etc. but I taught he put in a great shift again, as mentioned he's deceptively strong and brilliant to break a tackle wouldn't be surprised if playing rugby to a decent level is standing to him on that count, Paidi Foley adds alot of assurance around the HB line although he'll be disappointed yesterday with Conlan picking his pocket for a point, if we go into a championship game without Chin I'd be worried about the frees, we seem to chop and change a good bit when he's not there, Mac wasn't in the game as much as I'd hope but his 2 points especially the 2nd was absolute quality, didn't happen really for Oisin Foley yesterday but over the league and Walsh Cup he has a good body of work put down for a new panelist with a couple of excellent displays against Kilkenny and Limerick.

I know Clare were short a good few mostly from midfield up(we're missing a few obviously too) but anytime you get an away win against another top 9 hurling team it's a good day at the office, big challenge going to Salthill I taught they were really impressive Saturday night even before Hegarty's long overdue red card and as was mentioned by storeystash previously a defeat wouldn't bother me much in the general scheme of things once the right application is there.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 14/02/2022 09:18:24    2400235