Anthony Daly: Wexford now have a cause, but unfair to blame fixture farce on Clare

I can understand the anger and frustration in Wexford this week at the clash with the Féile but they can’t pin it all on Clare either.

CARRYING THE FIGHT: Lee Chin of Wexford in action against Cian Nolan of Clare during the 2022 All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at FBD Semple Stadium. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

When I was 17, Clare hosted the Féile na Gael for the first time, back in 1986. The festival was also in Clare the following year, which was how it rolled back then. I was well out of the U14 grade at the time but I still remember the carnival atmosphere around the county, especially the excitement in my own club Clarecastle, and the anticipation of a host club being able to take part in such a prestigious competition.

I fully understand the buzz it still generates. Clarecastle actually represented Clare last year when the Féile was staged across seven venues in Connacht. It’s an absolute monster of a competition, one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe, involving thousands of kids and hundreds of volunteers.