IF THE SENIOR atmosphere surrounding Wexford hurling has been gloomy of late, then the U21 grade has at least tended to be a source of positivity.
They may not have got the job done on All-Ireland final day in the last couple of years but Wexford have been the U21 kings of Leinster.
Last year Wexford crushed Kilkenny 4-17 to 1-9 to seal a third successive provincial U21 hurling title.
Tonight they set out for the first instalment of their 2016 campaign as they host Dublin.
Victory would be a timely boost after the senior side suffered a 13-point beating in Croke Park recently.
Conor McDonald was part of that vanquished Wexford senior side.
Yet he looks to the U21 grade for refuge, bidding to land his fourth Leinster medal this summer.
“It’s good but I suppose you’re always wanting more,” remarks McDonald.
“This year is no different, your last year you want to give it a big push. There was still no All-Ireland there and we’ve come close to it twice.
“Being in two All-Ireland finals and coming up short, it’s obviously heartbreaking. In a way, that’s your ambition to go one step further.
“But there’s a lot more steps on the ladder before you get to the final hurdle.”
Wexford have a deep reservoir of experience to call upon for tonight’s clash.
“I think we’ve 18 of last year’s panel so it’s basically the whole backbone of the team. We’ve four out of the six forwards,” outlines McDonald.
“There’s lads coming up from minor there as well that you probably wouldn’t have even heard of. They’re breaking on to the team. There’s lads that have been there two years and they’re probably maybe a sub in the third year.
“The competition for places is scandalous in that U21 setup. Even in training there, watching them, it’s a level in itself that is very respectable.”
Overseeing the fortunes tonight is manager JJ Doyle. The former camogie supremo may deflect praise for recent accomplishments but McDonald is keen to apportion credit to him.
“He puts it down to luck more than anything but it mustn’t be luck. Three All-Ireland’s with the camogie is not to be sniffed at.
“Obviously we had three Leinster’s and going for four. He’s impressive results in fairness.”
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