Wexford well capable of raising their game to match Cork again, says Griffin
The physical work would be confined to sharpening hurling skills. The emphasis would be primarily about getting the minds right. It's probably the way John Conran operates, but it was Griffin's trademark.
He knows that Wexford haven't a good record for consistency, but suggests that will only be a problem if the players worry about it. It comes down to their psychological approach to the game.
"My position all year is that Wexford have been up and down. But, their performance the last day was up for the hour and it seems that when they knew they had to do it, they did it. They'll have to do it again this Saturday and strike it for the full game.
"If they have the focus and their minds are clear, I don't see any reason why they can't do it again."
Predictably, he wasn't pleased with the public furore provoked by the three players endorsing a Dublin bookmaking firm using branded hurleys.
"When I heard about it first, I thought they had done some deal with the association or with the GPA. And, while a lot of people think the GPA shouldn't exist, I am in favour of it. If companies want to do business like that, it should be carried out on proper and ethical lines."
His delight with Wexford's display was balanced by his concern about certain aspects of their play.
"We were lucky that John Gardiner was off-target with a few frees which we conceded. That was understandable on his first big day in Croke Park. But, if he had taken these chances it could have made an awful lot of difference to the result. I thought that Darragh Ryan had a great game when he was at full-back. But, when it was disrupted, our full-back line looked more dodgy. The ball didn't run for Doc (O'Connor). It happened him before, it happens for every player. I just think he was unfortunate that it didn't happen for him last Sunday."
But there were positives "Liam (Dunne) was never blessed with speed but he is a brilliant reader of the play. I said several times last week that he would demonstrate it and he did."
He also credits the 35-year-old defender with adopting such a positive approach to his hurling after a few bad experiences in recent years.
"He is a close friend and I admire him greatly for what he has done. I saw at one stage last Sunday where he was going for a high ball, standing under it and about to pull which he was quite entitled to do. A Cork player came in from the side and he would have been struck if Liam had pulled. It wouldn't have been wrong, but it would have been seen to be wrong because the Corkman crossed his path. In fairness to Liam, that has happened before."
The game will undoubtedly bring Cork on a lot, he says, making the comment that he has repeatedly said it is unfair on the Munster and Leinster champions having to wait so long before their next games.
"Now that Cork have survived that, it will benefit them. But I also think it should bring on the young Wexford players. It was another big day and a lot of experience for them.
"I really believe it will all come down to tactical awareness and mental strength. There is no reason why Wexford should automatically take on the mantle of glorious losers unless they themselves choose it. Then, that's what they will be. But if they have a strong mental resolve and a good tactical game-plan, I'm quite satisfied they are capable of rising their game to match Cork again. I have no doubt about it.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
