Without hope, there is nothing
Wednesday February 24 2010
I NEVER doubted the fact that it is very difficult to win an FAI All-Ireland Under-18 title. Knowing that to be true does not bring any comfort.
We lost 1-0 away to Dublin A.U.L. on Saturday, and to put it mildly, I did not enjoy the experience. It was a good Dublin A.U.L. side and they worked very hard for their win.
Wexford Under-18s also worked very hard, played well, had the lion's share of the play, and with half the luck would have won. When you get drawn away from home, you've got to deal with the elements - yes, the pitch was small, yes, the surface was poor, and yes, sadly, the referee, David Fisher, was not up to the task of handling a game at this level.
But if you're going to win an All-Ireland Under-18 title, you have to overcome all the obstacles in your way. There are many aspects that matter - quality, fitness, workrate, organisation, hunger, character, mental strength – and for good measure, a little bit of luck wouldn't go astray.
Adding to the disappointment on Saturday was the fact that we really had a very good squad of players, well capable of going all the way. But such is life.
The team played well, really wanted it, but it wasn't to be. Best on the day for Wexford were Shane Sinnott and Muzzi Mullen. Well done to the Dublin A.U.L., they are a good group of players and will be difficult to beat. Many of these players still have the Leinster Youth Cup to look forward to with the Wexford Youths this season, a new Under-19s League of Ireland which starts in July, and of course lots of them will be challenging for places in the senior team, in the new League of Ireland First Division campaign.
On Sunday morning, following a sleepless night, much agonising over what might have been, much inward looking at my own failings, I drove to Wexford to train the Under-16s and - 17s – the makings of the next Under-18s squad.
We began preparations for next season's campaign on Sunday, February 21, by looking at how we can improve things, how we can overcome some of the hurdles that gave us problems this season and in the past years. Did we really win five All-Irelands in the last ten years? Will I ever manage another titlewinning team?
I console myself with the long-held belief that I can teach these young adults more about life than about football. In the meantime, we'll strive harder next season to make it all happen. Where there's life, there's hope. Without hope, there is nothing.
MICK WALLACE
