A February draw against Clare may not be cause for post-mortems in Wexford, but their continued inaccuracy from placed balls could prove more costly in the championship, according to Joe Canning.
The Yellowbellies had a point from substitute Jack O’Connor in injury-time to thank for a share of the spoils at Chadwicks Wexford Park, and while they fought back well, they could easily have left with a win.
Goalkeeper Mark Fanning – who landed a free earlier on against the Banner – had a long-range effort that drifted wide of the posts late on, while player of the match Séamus Casey, who finished with 1-04 to his name, also spurned a chance towards the end from a free.
The departure of Lee Chin, the county’s first-choice free taker, in the first half saw Casey move on to the frees, but it is an issue that has been evident for a number of seasons.
Paul Morris, Conor McDonald, Paudie Foley, Jack Guiney, Rory O’Connor, and Jack O’Connor are among those who have stood over frees, with goalkeeper Fanning trusted with those from deep inside their own half.
Speaking on RTÉ's Allianz League Sunday, Joe Canning said that while there can be little blame attached to Casey – "he’s not normally the free taker" – Wexford could do with more consistency, especially if Chin is set for time on the sidelines with an injury.
"It’s something that has been bugging them down through the years," he said. "At inter-county, it’s fine margins that make the difference between winning and losing.
"In those situations, missing a free that is scoreable at this level to win a game comes back when you get into championship.
Wexford's freetaking woes have been an unfortunate feature of their league campaign so far...#RTEgaa
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"They are not too worried about a league game, but if that’s championship down the line, and you’re missing by a point, it’s those fine margins."
Given Chin’s recent injuries, Canning says manager Keith Rossiter and the management team may have to give it more thought ahead of the championship.
"Who is going to be the next free taker?"
