Anthony Masterson enjoying return to senior fold

He may have just captained Wexford to a rare Leinster football title but former All Star nominee Anthony Masterson has been forced to shelve his All-Ireland junior title ambitions.

The experienced net minder is ineligible for the remainder of the junior championship as a result of featuring for the senior team in Saturday’s morale-boosting qualifier win over Down.

That game came less than 48 hours after the 32-year old lifted the junior title on Thursday evening following a remarkable last-gasp win over Meath.

But by subsequently replacing Shane Roche in the first-half of the Down game, Masterson immediately ruled himself out the July 25 All-Ireland junior semi-final against Cork or Kerry who, incidentally, contest the Munster final tomorrow evening.

Masterson also captained Wexford to the 2007 All-Ireland junior final where they lost to Cork, though he’s delighted to simply be back involved with the senior team.

“Look, I’m 32, and the reality is I came back to play senior football so that’s the priority,” said Masterson, who was between the sticks for the 2008 and 2011 Leinster senior finals.

“But I do have great time for the juniors and to be honest, it’s not even being called the juniors in Wexford, it’s a senior development squad. David Power is in charge of both and he wanted to give it that bit of respect.

“Myself and Shane Roche have been battling for goals with the seniors so because I hadn’t played and wasn’t involved last year with the seniors, I was eligible to play.

“I was delighted with the win last Thursday evening. There must have been a 1,000 people in Wexford and a lot of them stayed back to celebrate. So it’s given the county a huge lift.

“I remember back in 2007, that junior team produced at least four fellas who appeared in an All-Ireland senior semi-final the following year; myself, Brendan Doyle, Adrian Morrissey and David Walsh. So it’s a very valuable competition and it’s a pity to miss the All-Ireland series now but, like I said, being involved with the seniors has to be the number one goal.”

Wexford got a stiff Round 2B qualifier draw yesterday morning, pitted away to Derry. Masterson was in his van on route to a job for his employers, National Appliance Repairs when he tuned in to the draw.

“Obviously you’re looking for a home draw and when Derry came out first I was saying, ‘Don’t be Wexford, don’t be Wexford’ but of course Wexford came out!

“But I don’t think these lads will have any fear. The win over Down has given us great confidence. It’s amazing how a week can turn things around. There was as bit of doom and gloom in training after losing to Westmeath but seeing the performance we put in against Down and the junior result too, it’s lifted the whole place.”

Masterson isn’t sure if he’ll retain his position for the Derry game.

“Shane Roche got a shoulder injury, he has to rest for a couple of days so we’ll see how it pans out. I will say I’ve improved greatly as a keeper this year alone from working with Shane and the lads. I’ve definitely improved so if I’m called again I’ll be ready.”

Meath will make a similar trip north to face Tyrone in Round 2B on Saturday week. Tyrone picked up their first ever Championship win over Meath in the 2013 qualifiers and will be confident of repeating the result in light of Meath’s difficulties at the weekend.

Tipperary will host Louth in a repeat of their Division 3 league tie which they won by eight points in March while Armagh take on Galway.

Round 2B Football Qualifier draw (All games will take place on Saturday, July 11):

Derry v Wexford Tyrone v Meath Tipperary v Louth Armagh v Galway.