John Hegarty continues to deliver for Wexford

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By Cian O’Connell

John Hegarty doesn’t pretend that he has all the answers. That wouldn’t be Hegarty’s way. Still, there is something beginning to stir in Wexford football again. A feeling of hope because possibilities exist.

Important Allianz Football League Division Four matches are arriving thick and fast for Wexford. Suddenly, there is a bit of interest and positivity. Players in the county are responding and committing, believing that Wexford can embark on a journey.

During his own playing career Hegarty saw what could happen. Valuable lessons were learned, defeats endured, but perseverance was rewarded. In recent years, other counties have risen through the divisions and become relevant on the national stage. “That is everybody's ambition, but it has to be a longer term project,” Hegarty says.

“When I was involved, for half of my career it was very, very clearly Division Four and really, really struggling.

“That same group of players evolved and developed, went from pretty much no hopers to being competitive in Division One, regularly playing and beating Galways, Tyrones, and the Armaghs of this world.

“So, it can be done. You look at the likes of Derry for example. Wexford played Derry in Division Four five or six years ago. That is the dream, but it is that - a dream. It is a dream until you can put in one good season, build on that the following year and the following year. Things like that give you hope that it is still possible to do.

“I don't know what they're doing in Derry, they're obviously doing lots of things right, but at the same time I do know what we did those years ago, we had a group that stayed together. We took our beatings and learnings, came back the following year and improved slightly.”

It didn’t happen overnight. Hegarty knows that completely. Saturday’s Chadwicks Wexford Park encounter against Wicklow will be worth monitoring because two in form teams are eager to progress. “You could actually track it over five, six, seven years where we improved,” he adds.

“I do think the current group of players that are there are nowhere near their ceiling yet. Their age profile is very good, their bond and culture are very good.

“So, they've the potential, but there is an awful lot of hard work that has to happen. Right now, all we can do is aim at the weekend against Wicklow, and if we win at the weekend, we're effectively looking at it as a league semi-final. That is our first step.”

The opening couple of months in 2025 illustrates Wexford’s potential. It can be a dangerous word in sport, but Hegarty believes a solid foundation has been established. “It has been a great start,” he says.

“There isn't any secret, there isn't anything unusual about it. We'd like to think that the lads are just improving as they go along. I know last year finished on a very disappointing note in the Tailteann Cup, even more so in the league.

"We won our last four league games and our score difference was hugely superior to Leitrim's, but it all hinged on a head-to-head with Leitrim. The lads found that tough to deal with, but they responded in the best possible way.”

Staying involved at inter-county level demonstrated their willingness to assist Wexford. Player turnover can be an issue. “They just went back, everybody re-committed again, which is remarkable at Division Four level,” Hegarty remarks.

“You often have lads, who just find it hard for the levels of rewards that are on offer. Sometimes, lads find it hard to go back, to commit. While the rewards aren't as great, the commitment is the very same, whether it is Division Four or Division One.

“Every single one of them wanted to go back, all of the backroom team wanted to go back. We felt we hadn't achieved what we wanted last year, but the culture was good, and the dynamic was good, and the group was very united. That is where we started from this year. That is a good starting place.”

As a manger, surely encouragement is derived from that. “You're always a little bit apprehensive saying things in case people think you've it all figured out, you certainly don't,” Hegarty responds immediately.

“You're always only a result or two away from that kick in the backside. At the same time, it was important, there is nothing we've done from the very start that has been built on a gimmick or a siege mentality or an us against the world, hugely pulling on emotion.

“That will only sustain you so far. I'd like to think the lads see that we didn't achieve what we wanted last year, but we were a better team last year (compared to previous year), and we were a better team by lots of very tangible metrics.

“Our GPS would indicate we were improving, the amount of points we accumulated in the league last year was more than the year before, our score difference was better. So, by lots of tangible metrics we were improving.

“When we went back this year, we said any serious team has got to be about continual improvement. That is what we've gone after again this year, and so far, it has been working for us.”

Acquiring confidence and instilling belief matters deeply. How crucial is momentum? “I think it is very important,” Hegarty replies. “That is why the conversations you'll have with Division One and Two managers compared to Division Three and Four are poles apart.

“I know I've often said it, but it is a lovely luxury when you hear Division One and Two managers talking about whether they want to get to a league final or not.

“Once you're safe that is a luxury Division Three and Four teams don't have, particularly the split between the Tailteann Cup and Sam Maguire.

“Even within that every point is so important in Division Three and Four. Yet, that generates momentum. I'm not saying Division Three and Four teams can't realistically aspire to have a real good cut at either a championship run or the Tailteann Cup.

“If you're going to do that, it has to be built on something. The most likely thing to give you that is momentum.”

It is why the Allianz Football League is so worthwhile for Hegarty. “Building throughout the league, you're playing teams at a similar standard,” he adds.

“You can aspire to win, we've won four in a row, we won our last four last year, that didn't guarantee us anything in the Tailteann Cup, but at the same time it does breed confidence. It gives you a chance to continuously improve stuff you're trying to work on, from a positive place.

“It isn't that you're going back training under the pressure of a defeat, you can go back in a positive frame of mind, but really go after learnings and improvements for the next week.”

Challenges exist, but Hegarty remains optimistic. The fact that the vast majority of players available are involved in the panel augurs well. “We're getting closer to that point,” Hegarty says.

“Obviously, the dynamic in Wexford is kinda unique in that all of the clubs bar one or two play hurling and football. All of your senior hurling squad play football, all of our lads play hurling. So, there is always a draw on players and there are always crossovers.

“You'll have lads in my day, who played hurling and moved to football. Even currently in the senior hurling squad you'd have the likes of Lee Chin, the likes of Simon Donohue, Oisín Foley, if he was there, lots of lads have played football first and then played hurling.

“So, there is that within Wexford. In some counties you've pockets or areas that might be hurling or football. Wexford is entirely a dual county. That brings its challenges. We're looking at a squad that the majority has been with us for three years, they're really focused on improving.

“Every county will say there is somebody out there, but really what any serious team is interested in is who is within the tent? Right now, we're really happy who is in the tent.

“You've lads like Martin O'Connor, who is a former captain. I love when I hear all of the stories about Michael Murphy being back, we're delighted to have him back. He is travelling and commuting from Germany, that is the level of commitment we're getting from lads, and that is great.”

A life spent in sport and education has brought Hegarty to interesting places. The adventure continues.