"It was a disappointing year in the senior team" - Wexford's Conor McDonald on looking for success with the Under 21 team

Redemption is the key word for Wexford ahead of Saturday’s Bord Gais Energy All Ireland Under 21 hurling semi final against Antrim in Thurles.

A mere mention of that game puts a shiver down the spine of any Wexfordian. “Please don’t” were selector Larry Murphy’s words when we brought up the shock of the last few years in hurling recently. In good form after a third Leinster title in a row Murphy not only entertained the question he talked about the lessons learned about taking any opposition for granted.

This is where we usually start filling paragraphs with quotes from both camps about how preparation has gone well however outgoing Antrim boss Kevin Ryan hasn’t played this game this time around. Ryan chose the option of blunt force honesty to the point of making any reporter feel uncomfortable but that’s not nearly as uncomfortable as Antrim fans should be .

In a hard hitting an honest interview with the Irish News, Ryan said they were in for a “massive hammering”. “There is so little interest in this game, it’s unbelievable. It’s so frustrating and annoying to be honest with you. There are a dozen or so of those U21 lads who are really up for it, but to actually get them together for training has been difficult. Even to try and arrange a few matches – you can’t get teams in the county to play you. We played one game, against Portaferry, and that’s about it.At this stage, I understand the way Antrim is and the way the clubs are. They’re playing knock-out Championship matches the following week and there’s absolutely nothing in it for them; they’re not interested in anything else, and that’s their prerogative. But it just doesn’t add up for me".

Wexford won’t let their focus slip this year and forward Conor McDonald says the memory of defeat to the Saffrons is still fixed in his mind. “The county took a bit of a shock on personal level you want to put it right”. He adds that getting to the final last year has helped heal the wounds but they have moved on and “that” day isn’t referenced a lot in training. “It wouldn’t be talked about in the camp a whole a lot as it’s different sides and different teams but we won’t take them for granted anyway”

At senior level, Wexford’s season seems remarkably bright compared to Antrim’s but after the highs of last years wins over Clare and Waterford, there followed only lows this year with the South Eastern side taking a heavy beating against Kilkenny in Leinster before their non performance against Cork at home in the qualifiers.

McDonald is a one of a number in the Wexford panel who is part of both squads but says their whimperless exit at senior level hasn’t effected the under 21’s. “ You tend to just concentrate on whatever camp you’re in, looking at both set ups it is completely different because they’re two different competitions and teams while it was a disappointing year in the senior it’s a lot easier to turn around have an under 21 championship to try to drive on and win”

If Liam Dunne's side are to dust themselves off and go again next season McDonald will be front and centre in that drive and this Saturday provides the chance to get a snap shot of what might be in the yellow bellies future.