Diarmuid O’Keeffe insists Wexford can keep on winning by doing it their way.
The Leinster champions play a counter attacking game and while it isn’t to everyone’s liking, it’s damn effective.
It’s the brainchild of boss Davy Fitzgerald who took a pop at critics after the provincial final win saying: “It’s good for hurling - not bad. Look at the short, look at the long, look at the catches.
"You tell me that every element of hurling isn’t in our game. It’s there.”
And ultra experienced defender O’Keeffe is confident that Fitzgerald’s formula can propel them through to a first All-Ireland final since 1996.
O’Keeffe said: “It’s something Davy brought in when he arrived.
“We see that we’re at a competitive level playing the way we’re playing, so why not continue playing that way? He’s the boss, he makes the decisions. I actually enjoy playing it, it gives a bit of freedom and a license to move forward while you have the cover at the back.
“More traditionalist hurlers prefer to play 15 on 15 and lump the ball forward and see where it takes us. We’re just not playing that game.”
It’s great when it works but when it breaks down some fans are quick to turn and let Fitzgerald have it.
O’Keeffe said: “I personally wouldn’t heard much of it but the subs when they’re sitting in the stand would say, ‘There’s lads up there that are really giving it to us’. But it doesn’t matter to us.”
It’s already been a breakthrough year for Wexford, regardless of what happens today though O’Keeffe said they haven’t done much different.
They lost a flat quarter-final to Clare in 2018 but didn’t reinvent the wheel.
O’Keeffe said: “I can’t say there’s been anything drastically changed.
"We’re three years under Davy and it’s just about consistently trying to do the right thing the majority of the time and backing yourself to put in those performances week after week.
"Thankfully we’ve managed to pull it off so far.”
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
