Transformed Wexford aim for first title

KEVIN KEHOE boarded the Good Counsel team bus yesterday afternoon in Athy in a celebratory mood. He had just overseen the New Ross school’s collection of the Leinster Colleges JAFC title courtesy of a 2-19 to 1-7 win over Marist College (Athlone).

Tonight he journeys back to a Midlands avenue and aims to bring more silverware to the south-east when he sends the Wexford U21s into combat in the Leinster decider against Longford.

“It was a great win for us with Good Counsel and shows that there’s a lot of good football work being done by Wexford schools. St Peter’s won the U14 Leinster title two years ago and we won the U14 last year and this year. That’s good progress.”

Kehoe has translated that development to the intercounty stage as well. When the Wexford county board entrusted him with the reins of the U21 footballers this year, they were appointing a man with a diverse and chequered coaching career.

He has had stints with the Kildare senior footballers, Wexford senior hurlers and Kildare and Carlow’s U21 footballers over the past couple of decades.

Still this year’s performances have seen the Wexford U21s undergo a remarkable transformation.

“We beat Louth in our opening game this year but when we met them last year at U21 level, they beat us by 20 points. Both teams had eight of those players available again.

“Then when we met Kildare in the quarter-final, we won by a point whereas two years before at minor level, we lost by 14 points.”

But Kehoe always felt the talent was there.

“I knew these fellas were not as bad as the results were suggesting. Having home venue for games this year was a big help and we also got great commitment from all our players. I’d have had eight of the starting team with Good Counsel.

“We lost the Leinster final two years ago to Edenderry when we conceded a last-minute goal and then the previous year lost the semi-final to Gormanstown. So these lads were competing at colleges level and it was just a matter of bringing that onto Wexford sides. To win a Leinster title now would be a huge boost to the county.”