Wexford to use dual players for 2005 campaign, says Murphy

WEXFORD hurling manager Seamus Murphy is to include dual players in his squad for the 2005 campaign.

Murphy has included Redmond Barry in his panel and is hopeful that the county’s first football Allstar Mattie Forde will also be available to the hurlers.

The Rathnure man had his first meeting with the players on Saturday night last and the squad had their first training session last night when Barry was in attendance.

A further boost to the hurlers is the return of Oulart-the-Ballagh’s Darren Stamp.

Stamp opted out of John Conran’s squad earlier this year but has accepted an invitation to return, while his

clubmates Dessie Mythen and Kevin Kavanagh, have also been added.

Murphy is hopeful that another defected member of Conran’s squad, Rory Mallon, will be available for the league and championship.

Mallon who emigrated to America earlier in the season has returned and is now based in Galway. With the Faythe Harriers player expected to move to Dublin in the New Year he will be welcomed back to the panel having spoken to manager Murphy, indicating that he has begun gym training already.

“I’ve been talking to Rory and hopefully he will be part of the squad come the New Year,” said Murphy.

“I have spoken to Redmond Barry and he is prepared to play as a dual player. He is very anxious to play hurling and is jumping at the opportunity to be part of the scene.

“I’m confident that we can compromise with the footballers. As long as we have him for hurling practice, he will be doing the physical training with one of the sides so it’s okay by me.”

And hopes are high that Forde will be part of the planning for the coming year.

“I’ll be talking to Mattie. While he has a huge decision to make having had such a wonderful football season, I’m sure he’d like to play a bit of hurling. We’ll be trying to have him in and hopefully he can fit in both codes,” said Murphy.

Both Barry and Forde joined the hurling squad for training in the lead up to last year’s All-Ireland semi-final clash with Cork where they created a huge impression, while they have also been hugely impressive with their respective club’s St Anne’s and Ballyfad in the SHC.

“I’d like to feel we can compromise with the dual players for we need our best 30 players available. That’s something I stood over during my interview,” said Murphy.