JIMMY HOLOHAN Epitomising the spirit and Optimism with the Wexford Hurling Camp Wexford hurlers, by nature, are a breed of eternal optimists - despite enduring numerous disappointments down through the years, the onset of the championship brings renewed hope of that long overdue breakthrough. And it's the same story this season as the team prepare for their difficult first round assignment against Laois in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow on Sunday. The appointment of Galway supreme Cyril Farrell as team coach has created a "buzz" around the county and the shattering defeat at the hands of Kilkenny last year is now a thing of the past as the loyal supporters look forward with confidence to what lies ahead, writes Alan Aherne. The vast majority of the Slaneysiders' team are now household names in the hurling world with the likes of George O'Connor, Tom Dempsey, Sean Flood and Martin Storey the latest in a long line of fine sportsmen produced in the sunny South-East. However, one man more than most epitomises the spirit and optimism within the Wexford camp-deadly accurate full forward Jimmy Holohan who is back in fighting fit form after taking a winter break. The big Rathnure man isn't getting any younger at 35 years of age, but his infectious enthusiasm and dedication to training is having an inspirational effect on his younger colleagues It's a tribute to Holohan's loyalty to the purple and gold that he continues to solider on in the number 14 jersey, despite being at the wrong end of some heart-breaking defeats in the past. One Walsh Cup and three Oireachtas medals are all that Jimmy has to show from a Senior inter-county career which began way back in 1978. He has played on losing Wexford teams in three Leinster finals and four National League deciders, an unenviable record which hopefully will be rectified in July. And on the club scene Jimmy has lined out with his beloved Rathnure in two unsuccessful bids for All Ireland glory in 1978 and 1987 respectively. There was some consolation when he was an All Star replacement in 1986, and on the local scene he has six Co. Senior championship hurling medals, and it is this determination and passion which has seen him return to the Wexford set-up fitter than ever for the championship. More noted as a midfielder on the club front, Jimmy has made the Wexford full forward position his own, and his reliability from placed balls has saved his county on many occasions. One remembers in particular a last-minute point from a "65" which guaranteed Wexford's place in the quarter final and consigned Galway to Division Two in a National League game in O'Kennedy Park, New Ross in March 1990 Some would say that the Rathnure man's contribution from general play leaves room for improvement but anyone who has seen him in recent weeks will strongly dispute this fact. Holohan returned to the Wexford camp in February after taking a well-deserved rest before Christmas, and he was thrown back in at the deep end when Martin Storey failed a fitness test before the League game against Galway in Pearse Stadium, Salthill. His performance that day suggested that he wasn't at peak fitness, but what a remarkable transformation there has been in the past few months, with Cyril Farrell's influence clear for all to see. Holohan is now looking trimmer and faster than ever before, while his appetite for the game has never been better He played havoc with an admittedly poor Tipperary defence when scoring 2-8 in a one sided challenge (6-21 to 0-11) in Bellefield, Enniscorthy some weeks back, while good performances were also forthcoming in another challenge against Waterford and in the Walsh Cup semi-final against Offaly. The Wexford camp has been transformed since Cyril Farrell's arrival - the Galway man has had one hundred per cent attendances at the Saturday morning training sessions in Gorey which begin at the unusual time of 8.45 a.m. and there is an air of enthusiasm and new found self-belief among the players which will hopefully manifest itself on Sunday The team visited Dr. Cullen Park recently to familiarise themselves with the ground, because surprisingly Wexford haven't been involved in a Senior hurling game at the Carlow venue for many years. Naturally the loss of the stylish Liam Dunne (broken leg) is a huge blow for the Slaneysiders. Tom Dempsey is also facing a battle against time after breaking his cheekbone in a local club game On the plus side Billy Byrne has just returned to competitive action after suffering a bad break to two fingers in the National League clash with Galway in February, while Niall Mc Donald is also in good order after being dogged with injuries recently. Judging from their performances against Wexford in the last two championship campaigns, the Laoismen will be no pushovers on Sunday, and the Model County team and supporters are expecting a very difficult game. However, a win is on the cards if they put Cyril Farrell's teachings into practice, and you can bet that Jimmy Holohan will make a significant impact on the scoresheet from play and place balls One of the great old warriors of inter-county hurling, his Trojan efforts have rarely earned the rewards they deserved. With a little luck things might change for Holohan and his Wexford team-mates this year. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 29-06-92 Tweet

Most Read Stories