If he’s not the messiah, he’s a very, very talented boy.
Davy Fitzgerald extended Wexford’s winning streak to six games on Sunday when they booked a place in the National Hurling League semi-final – and they only did it by beating bloody Kilkenny.
We have won!! 2-18 to 0-19, heroes all, marching proudly on the NHL semi finals. Laochra Loch Garman. Safe home the thousands who travelled.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
The Clare man is struggling to dampen expectations in the Model county, such is the start he has enjoyed with the team since taking over for the 2017 season and Sunday’s result over a Brian Cody-inspired Kilkenny outfit is only going to see the Wexford faithful clamour some more.
Fitzgerald and his team walked right into the Cats’ den at Nowlan Park, looked them square in the eyes, and beat them in a knockout game to march on through to the last four.
It bodes well for Wexford who are on a Leinster championship collision course with the provincial champs who they will meet in the semi-final should they make it that far.
Allianz Hurling League Division One quarter-finals
Kilkenny 0-19 Wexford 2-18
Cork 1-18 Limerick 1-20
Galway 2-22 Waterford 2-19
Offaly 3-13 Tipperary 4-28
But Sunday was about this game. One game. A game that would prove that they can mix it and one which probably gave up the ghost on the manager who insisted beforehand that he just wanted his team to be competitive against the might of Kilkenny.
Well, Wexford were competitive and more so and it was all summed up brilliantly by the county’s official Twitter account.
We didn’t get your common or garden recounts of what was going on in Kilkenny or just a point by point update. No, we got passion. We got emotion. Frustration, elation and all the twists and turns of a true Gael totally engrossed in one game of hurling like it was the only thing that mattered in this world today.
We got real, honest musings. We got the GAA and all that is good about it in 140 character dosages.
From the very start, Kilkenny stopper Eoin Murphy was producing all sorts of miraculous shapes across his goal to deny Wexford.
It was an aspect of the game which the visiting county’s social media user failed to believe and then accept.
Rasper by Conor Mc is brilliantly saved by Eoin Murphy.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
They could’ve dealt with one.
Be the Lord! What a save by Eoin Murphy after a shot by Davy Redmond, Conor Mc down hurt, ankle?
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Two might’ve been negotiable.
ANOTHER save by Eoin Murphy, this time from Conor McDonald!
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
They’re proud of Lee Chin in Wexford.
His physique.
Cillian Buckley down after a collision with Chinner. Pure Wexford beef.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
His skill.
Chin can point! 1-16 to 0-15.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
The updates would drift freely in and out of English and as Gaeilge.
Lee Chin wide with a free from lár na páirce.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Great catch by Conor McDonald and he wins a free. Pops it over, level, 1-7 to 0-10. Leathama, good spirit shown by Loch Garman.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
The descriptions are much more evocative than the norm.
Yellows for David Redmond and his marker for locking horns.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Liam Ryan shot tails wide after a rampaging run.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
The nerves are dangling from every tweet.
Huuuuuuge point by Paul Morris, 1-11 to 0-12.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
The penalty drama was palpable.
Penalty! David Dunne pulled down, Mark Fanning trots up.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Then it just became a true GAA fan totally lost in the moment.
Nooooo! Off the post. Jesus.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Thankfully those moments were lit up with bouts of Conor McDonald magic.
What a point by Conor Mc! 1-12 to 0-12. High catch, turn, lethal finish.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Even the biased opinions are better than nothing. This guy was feeling it.
That's harsh, Mark Fanning is sat on by a posse of Kilkennymen and is pinged for overholding.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
They didn’t abdicate responsibility though…
Jack Guiney on for David Redmond.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Before long, players were elevated to almost myth-like heroes.
Conor McDonald points from about 85m, 1-14 to 0-15.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Dare we dream?
TJ free, TJ wide, doesn't happen to often.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Absorbed.
Mark Fanning free from 100 metres. Gooooooal!!!!!!!!
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Clarification came later.
2-18 to 0-19, Guiney gets the goal I think.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
The size of the fight in the dog.
James Breen, huge heart, wins a ball and a free against giants!
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) April 2, 2017
Brilliant stuff, folks. This was gripping and damn well fitting of another monumental Fitzgerald achievement.
