AT A GLANCE: Hurlers’ league campaign
ROUND ONE: HOME v Limerick (February 6th)
It doesn’t come bigger than Limerick in terms of baptisms of fire for any new management. Wexford will have Walsh Cup against Laois and Kilkenny before welcoming Limerick to Chadwicks Wexford Park. But the league is where every season really begins. Limerick were Division 1 champions in 2019 and 2020. Wexford beat them on the way to promotion from Division 1B in 2017.
ROUND TWO: AWAY v Clare (February 13th)
The limelight here will be focussed back on the pitch after much of it fell on the Davy Fitzgerald/Brian Lohan rivalry in recent campaigns. Wexford stormed back to victory in their Ennis duel last May to make amends after losing the previous couple of league meetings.
ROUND THREE: AWAY v Galway (February 27th)
The big clashes continue in round three with Wexford up against the now Henry Shefflin-managed Tribesmen, who are currently joint-holders of the Division 1 crown with Kilkenny. Wexford were due to face Galway in last year’s quarter-finals before Covid-19 measures intervened. Hopefully everything is right for this fixture to actually materialise.
ROUND FOUR: HOME v Offaly (March 6th)
From facing one Kilkenny great to locking horns with another, it is Michael Fennelly’s Offaly on the first weekend of March. Offaly dropped out of Division 1 action in 2019, and after failing to bounce back in 2020, they returned after a strong 2021 run. Wexford accounted for them when last the sides duelled in the league, in 2017.
ROUND FIVE: HOME v Cork (March 20th)
From starting off the Division 1 Group A campaign against the reigning All-Ireland champions to facing the beaten McCarthy Cup finalists, Cork, the purple and gold were successful in their previous two league meetings with the Rebels, in 2018 and 2019.
OTHER KEY DATES
Walsh Cup tournament, Group B: January 9th, away v Laois; January 16th, bye; January 23rd, home v Kilkenny; January 30th, final (Group A winner v Group B winner)
Leinster championship: April 16th/17th, home v Galway; April 23rd/24th, home v Dublin; April 30th/May 1st, away v Laois; May 14th/15th, away v Westmeath; May 21st/22nd, away v Kilkenny; June 4th, Leinster final