CONOR MCDONALD WAS only a year old when Wexford last climbed to the summit of senior hurling.
He may have no memories of that famous 1996 All-Ireland win but he discovered recently that he did partake in the celebrations.
“I actually watched a DVD of it there a couple of weeks ago. There was a remake, the old videos were burnt on to CDs. It was 20 years ago.
“I was watching it and there’s a small little clip of me in a buggy, at the homecoming in Gorey. Wild Swans playing music up on top of a pub, crazy scenes now.
“It’s something you’d want to be involved in.”
Another seismic Wexford hurling win is fresher in his mind.
When Michael Jacob pick-pocketed the Kilkenny defence for a winning goal in 2004, McDonald was an eyewitness.
“I was sitting behind the goal. I nearly ended up three seats down, jumping up and down.
“So there was a crowd of us went up that day. We’d be hoping to repeat something like that as a forward.”
Can McDonald be part of similar senior glory days? He remains hopeful despite Wexford having stagnated since their season of progress in 2014.
“We’d beaten Waterford in 2014 but where did Waterford end up (last year)? In an All-Ireland semi-final.
“Everyone’s so close now at this stage. The standard of hurling is just gone so high. I think anyone can be pipped on any given day.”
McDonald crosses paths regularly with two of the Wexford stars from 1996.
“There’s two from my club, Ger Cushe and Billy Byrne. They’re obviously still very influential at the moment in my club.
“Obviously Ger is in the selection committee with the Wexford seniors. Them lads have a lot of respect in the county. There’s a lot of passion for the game.
“Billy’s involved with the minors as well. They’ve Dublin in the Leinster minor final as well.”
McDonald has a couple of Dublin dates looming large on his own playing calendar. The U21′s face a Bord Gáis Energy Leinster hurling opener against them on Wednesday 1 June.
Before that there is a Leinster senior tie for Wexford against Dublin next Saturday and the prospect of a rare appearance at Croke Park.
“It’s the first time since 2008 when we had a Leinster final. There is an extra little buzz like any other county would have.
“There’s no better way to start it off in the GAA in Wexford than with a double header in Croke Park.
“As a fan you’d be thinking you want to go to Croke Park and watch the hurlers and footballers.
“So it’s building up to be a great event so hopefully we can put on a show.”
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