Kilkenny can pack midfield to bypass Wexford’s sweeper system

Wexford may not be favourites, but after their successful league campaign and with a home fixture the level of expectation brings its own pressure. Sometimes, this can overwhelm individuals, leading to simple mistakes, writes Donal O’Grady.

Psychologists advise players to embrace the occasion and the pressure but it doesn’t always work like that. Kilkenny are favourites. However, they arrive into Wexford Park with questions to answer, without the combative Michael Fennelly or Padraig Walsh.

In the quarter-final of the league, the gap in fitness was clearly evident. Wexford were well ahead of the home team in this regard and very close to peak championship fitness. They now have to peak again for this game. This is difficult. Wexford spent a week in Portugal recently to prepare for this year’s championship. Players work hard on physical conditioning in these ‘warm weather’ training camps. However, one has to be very careful not to dull the players’ edge, as less usually means more with physical preparation. Wexford have been training very hard since late last year and it is easy to arrive at this juncture ‘overcooked’ as it’s tricky to get fitness levels spot on, having peaked earlier in the spring.