St Martin’s give massive and overdue lift to Wexford hurling in Leinster final

Misty-eyed traditionalists still believe Wexford remains an elite hurling power, but modern-day statistics tell a different story, not least the fact that the Slaneysiders have only captured a solitary All-Ireland senior championship since 1968.

Even their record at provincial level is alarming, winning just four Leinster titles since 1977, but Wexford’s woes are across all hurling competitions. The county has only won a single Leinster minor championship since 1985; while they are without an

U-21/U-20 title since 2015.

It’s no surprise the malaise has also gripped Wexford at club level. Since 1989, only three of their county champions have gone on to conquer the province – the last being Oulart-the-Ballagh in 2015. Overall, that’s a pretty grim record for a proud hurling county.

Against that background, what unfolded at Croke Park on Saturday night was wonderous for the county, St Martin’s making light of their outsiders’ tag against the province’s elite club team when capturing the Leinster title after a terrific battle for supremacy.

They might have been only one point in it at the end, but there was no fluke about the result. Not alone did St Martin’s outscore Ballyhale 24 times to 19, they also held their nerve to raise the final two white flags of the final after influential defender Richie Reid had edged the Kilkenny champions in front approaching stoppage time.

But just like their county team against Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final last July, the Shamrocks failed to close the deal. Instead, St Martin’s, who had been working their socks off all evening, came up with the decisive moments to claim Leinster silverware.

After the excellent Rory O’Connor had levelled the match, up popped substitute Ben Stafford on the Cusack Stand side of the field to nail a sensational winner. No wonder the St Martin’s players, mentors and supporters went nuts. They had won it the hard way.

Falling 1-4 to 0-2 behind early on after the dangerous Eoin Cody had netted for Ballyhale, the Wexford champions simply rolled up their sleeves to give the county an overdue massive boost. They were very cohesive, working the ball through the lines, with Jack Firman prominent in this process, while 38-year-old TJ Reid had only the odd moment of impact on Philip Dempsey.

But the best player on the field was Jack O’Connor, who has occasionally under-achieved in the Wexford jersey. O’Connor typified their heart and work-ethic all evening, firing over six majestic points from play as St Martin’s set up an All-Ireland semi-final meeting against Ballygunner.

Pictured: Andy Fenton, John Pardy, John Goode and Tony Kilkenny, all Kiltormer, attended the Báireoíri na nGaillimhe annual social in Gullane's Hotel, Ballinasloe. Photo: Joe Keane.