GAA: Wexford manager in a sweat

Wexford Manager Tony Dempsey is in a sweat over his growing injury list.

As the Leinster senior hurling semi-final approaches on June 10, Dempsey is keeping an open mind as his dressing room has become somewhat of a casualty ward.

Defender Rod Guiney, owing to recurring injury problems, has left the panel and is not in contention for a semi-final place.

Star young corner-forward, Barry Goff is nursing a broken bone in the back of his hand, suffered in their final league game against Kilkenny, which has forced him to sit out his clubs Faythe Harriers two county championship games.

While Dempsey is keeping his fingers crossed that Goff will come through and be available for the semi-final showdown, there is still considerable doubt as to his fitness.

Following the weekend senior hurling championship game the growing injury list was added to with Rory McCarthy, Larry Murphy and Adrian Fenlon, unable to train on Monday evening.

“Of the trio, Murphy is now a major worry. He was forced to retire early with a groin injury in his clubs championship replay last Saturday. Along with Goff he is a major concern for the semi-final. McCarthy is carrying a niggling hamstring injury, while Fenlon is also playing through the pain barrier”, said Dempsey.

Now it’s a case of hoping and praying with Dempsey having to sit through next weekends county senior football championship opening round games.

“It’s not ideal. I’ve been unable to arrange a challenge game owing to club championship games.

It now looks as if we will go into the provincial semi-final without a further game under our belts”.