After a mesmerising victory over Kilkenny, the Wexford Under-21 hurlers lock horns with Antrim on Saturday evening at 4pm in Semple Stadium in their quest to claim a spot in the Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Final – a feat which was last achieved back in 2001 when the Slaneysiders were shaded by Limerick.
Wexford make just one change to their starting 15 from their provincial final thriller. The virtuosity of Oulart-The Ballagh clubman Aaron Kenny sees him replace the injured Jack Hobbs. JJ Doyle has cleverly chosen an outfit that is rich in flair and ambition. Garrett Foley, Eoin Conroy and Dermot O’Leary have excelled in defence throughout this year’s championship while Lee Chin should restrain the lethal Antrim midfielder and captain Jackson McGreevey. The overwhelming attacking force that Wexford possess through the endeavours of Jack Guiney, Ian Byrne and Conor McDonald should disjoint the Antrim defence, who weren’t made sweat in their 6-22 to 0-6 disposal of Derry in the Ulster final.
Likewise the Glensmen’s threat is focused in attack where Ciarán Clarke and Stephen McAfee have ruthlessly fired scores over at ease, and that is telling in the fact that only two of Antrim’s 28 scores in the provincial decider came from the placed-ball. Former Oulart manager Kevin Ryan has managed his side with conviction through their routings of Down and Derry, but it remains to be seen if Antrim can meet the quality of hurling Southern sides. While Ryan hopes that Antrim will be ‘competitive at all levels with Wexford’ on Saturday, Wexford should have the fire-power, tenacity and passion to deny Antrim their first All-Ireland appearance.
