Reaching the All-Ireland quarter-final has given Wexford hurling supporters something to shout about again after a a difficult period for the side, says former player Tom Dempsey.
Liam Dunne’s troops face Waterford on Sunday, hoping to reach the last-four of the All-Ireland race for the first time since 2007.
After a league campaign where they failed again to escape from Division 1B, and an insipid display against Dublin in the Leinster championship, not many would have predicted that the Yellowbellies would still be hurling towards the end of July.
However, qualifier wins over Offaly and Cork have lifted the gloom somewhat and a decent crowd from the Model County is expected to travel to Semple Stadium this weekend.
Tom Dempsey has been impressed by the way Wexford have salvaged their season, adding that the win over Cork on 9 July was really significant.
“It has been a winter of discontent and a part summer of discontent for Wexford hurling, but the result against Cork was so important,” he said.
“We’ve had a lot of injuries to contend with and the team have not been going well.
"Wexford fans have been very heavy on the players over the last three to four months. People’s expectations are high.
"That’s why the Cork win was so important. For the first time since 1956 we beat Cork – it was of huge historical significance here in Wexford to beat the Rebel County.
"We're not too foolish to believe that this Waterford team have become poor overnight"
"Pride has now been restored and the criticism has allayed somewhat in the last couple of weeks.
"There is now a bit of momentum behind Wexford, allied with plenty of character. They've come in under the radar, and are in the last six in the All-Ireland race, which wouldn't have been expected."
Looking ahead to the date with the Deise, the 1996 All-Ireland winner feels that Derek McGrath’s side will provide tough opposition, despite their heavy defeat to Tipperary in the Munster final.
"We're not too foolish to believe that this Waterford team have become poor overnight," he said.
"They are a good unit, will stick to their system and have probably one of the best young managers in the country.
"I think a lot will focus on Waterford's reaction to the Munster final defeat and that will suit Liam Dunne just nicely."
In accounting for Wexford’s mid-summer revival, Dempsey singled out two players.
“Even though a lot of the younger players have blended in well in the current set-up, the one thing that has really transformed Wexford is the maturity of Lee Chin and Conor McDonald,” he revealed.
"They are real leaders, have led from the front, and have brought others along with them."
When asked for a prediction on Sunday’s encounter, Dempsey won’t let his heart rule his head.
“I think this is a good Waterford team and, second to Kilkenny, are the most consistent team in the country over the last 18 months.
"They will re-group and I think they'll win the game. What we are looking for from Wexford is another good performance and I don't think anybody will be too dissatisfied with that."
Watch live coverage of Wexford v Waterford on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player from 1.30pm on Sunday 24 July and follow our live blog on RTE.ie. Watch highlights of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game on RTÉ Two from 9.30pm.
