Walsh Cup-Main Talking Points

MAIN MAN
Jack O’Connor (Wexford)
Wexford’s Jack O’Connor was undoubtedly the star performer on show in Callan on Saturday as he scored six points from play as he helped the Model County claim a one point win over their near neighbours. From a Kilkenny point of view there were decent outings for Conor Delaney, Kevin Blanchfield and Martin Keoghan while Eoin Guilfoyle and Billy Ryan took their goals well.

TURNING POINT
In a game with such a tight margin, any swings of momentum can have a major impact on the result and Wexford’s five points on the trot at the end of the first half gave Keith Rossiter’s men a big lead at the break that they held onto until the final whistle.

TALKING POINT
Saturday’s game was Kilkenny’s last competitive outing before the league and the jury is still very much out on whether players took their opportunity to impress. A couple of Thomastown players got their first outing and you’d expect to see further representation from Tullogher Rosbercon and O’Loughlin Gaels in the coming weeks but it must be remembered that this year’s final league placings determine the structure of next year’s revamped campaign so Derek Lyng will want to nail down his squad as soon as possible with difficult games to come.

WHAT NOW?
Wexford will meet Galway this weekend in a repeat of last year’s Walsh Cup Final whereas Kilkenny will ramp up preparations for the Allianz League where Wexford will be their first opponents at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday February, 4.