5. Wexford
Have the Model County missed the boat?
The 2019 season was a golden opportunity for Davy Fitzgerald and his talented, athletic bunch of hurlers. They won a first Leinster title since 2004 and were a man and several points clear of Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final. The Premier smelled weakness, took over, and claimed the title.
Davy Fitz has this Wexford team at the peak of their powers, and it is now that they need to claim an All-Ireland. Should another year or two pass, the window of opportunity may close on them.
Their style is flexible and entertaining to watch, and Martin Storey explained how they have introduced more and more attacking players into their defence to develop a total hurling game plan.
Rory O’Connor, Lee Chin, Diarmuid O’Keeffe and Conor McDonald give the Models are serious attacking impetus, while Kevin Foley continues to evolve the role of sweeper.
A Leinster semi-final draw against Galway is a tough ask, although the superstitious may not that Wexford’s most recent championship win over the Tribe came when last they won the Liam MacCarthy Cup: 1996.
