Wexford’s Manager Acknowledges Team’s Struggles, Sees Promising Signs Against Kilkenny

In a recent Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match, Wexford experienced a rollercoaster performance against Kilkenny, ultimately falling short with a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-15. Manager Keith Rossiter candidly reflected on the match, highlighting the team’s weaknesses while also acknowledging encouraging developments.

Strong Start, Sharp Turnaround

The Cats made an impressive start, leading by 12 points at halftime with a dominant half characterized by strong, physical play. Led by their formidable defense, Wexford showcased clinical skill and a physical presence that left Kilkenny deficient.

However, the Model’s resurgence in the second half painted a more mixed picture. Although Wexford closed the gap to just six points, their comeback fell short, despite their improved showing.

Rossiter’s Reflections

Rossiter’s post-match analysis was candid and direct. “The first 37, 38 minutes, it’s not what we’re about,” he emphasized to RTÉ Sport. “We addressed it at half-time, and the lads showed a good bit of fight the second half, but at this level you’re not going to get away with 38 minutes of hurling.”

“We are in transition, we are building…” – Wexford manager Keith Rossiter admitted his side were well below par in the first half of their loss to Kilkenny, but he took encouragement from a much-improved second-half showing #RTEgaa I @LawlorDamian pic.twitter.com/svZe6xJF7r

— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 8, 2025

Second-Half Improvement

The improvement in Wexford’s play after halftime was significant, with the team battling back to within seven points. Nonetheless, missed scoring opportunities proved costly, especially as Kilkenny capitalized on their lead.

Rossiter noted that Wexford’s overall tackle count was disappointing. “The tackle count was disgraceful. We probably had two or three scoreable chances just to settle the thing but didn’t take them. That’s a bit of a trend at the minute that we’re just not taking those.”

Transition and Building

Despite the loss, Rossiter maintained an optimistic outlook. “We are in transition, we are building,” he stated. He saw positive developments in the performances of younger players like Eoin Ryan, Richie Lawlor, Conor Foley, and Cian Molloy.

“We’ll write those down but I think the negatives outweigh the positives at the minute. It’s going to take a bit of time. We’ve Clare in two weeks time, and we’ll probably have a different team again. We’ll have a couple more lads back. We have to work off the positives and just keep going.”

Team Dynamics and Future Prospects

Wexford faced another challenging season, marked by three consecutive league losses. Yet, Rossiter’s willingness to address and learn from these experiences could prove crucial for the team’s development.

“We’re a work in progress,” he said. “We’ve players coming back, and there’s potential in the younger players. With Clare approaching, we’ll need to focus on improving those areas that let us down in our game against Kilkenny.”

Conclusion

The match against Kilkenny provided a clear snapshot of Wexford’s current state: a team in transition with significant challenges but also considerable potential. Under Rossiter’s guidance, focusing on these positives while addressing their shortcomings will be vital for future success.

As Wexford prepares for their next game against Clare, both the manager and the players are likely to approach their training with renewed determination to improve and build a stronger team.

Stay Informed

For more insights into the Allianz Hurling League and other sports news, follow our coverage on RTÉ Sport. Watch Allianz League matches from 9:30 pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, and stay updated with live blogs and updates on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 for live updates from around the country.

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