It's been a tumultuous few weeks for the camógs of Wexford.
Having been hammered at home by Waterford in the opening round of this year's Littlewoods Camogie League, things got as dire as they possibly could have when they were unable to field against Cork last Saturday - a decision that cost the Model County €4500 - half of the WGPA grant of €9000 the side was awarded for the year.
Ongoing issues have blighted the beginning of the 2019 season, with senior manager, Kilkenny man Martin Carey, deciding to walk away from the role prior to the beginning of the campaign.
Despite securing a stand-in caretaker coach in the shape of Mick Curran, who orchestrated things from the line against Waterford, their plight was compounded last weekend by not having access to their St Martin's contingent, who competed in Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Club Semi-Final.
Today, things did admittedly improve a little for the trip to face Galway, but only a little.
13 players took the field for the Yellowbellies in Gort, and boy did they suffer. The home side tagged on 8 goals in a first-half stampede over their disadvantaged opponents.
That led to an extremely bizarre scenario, where Galway management decided to withdraw two of their players in a bid to at least make things a bit more sporting in the second period.
Galway Bay FM reported the anomaly with Darren Frehill confirming things on RTÉ Radio One.
I understand that Galway have taken two players off to make it level at least.
National Camoige League
Half time
Galway 8.10
Wexford 0.2
Galway have taken off two players to make the game 13 aside— Galway Bay FM Sport (@gbfmsports) February 3, 2019
Unsurprisingly, Wexford could do little to bridge the gap, with Galway eventually winning out by a huge margin of 45 points. A scoreline of 9-23 to 1-02.
This evening, Wexford hurling legend Tom Dempsey also commented on the debacle and was quick to praise the camógs that had shown up for their county.
Let me start by saying to those 13 players, well done to them for being in Galway today because it can't have been an easy afternoon. Thanks to them for making sure Wexford actually fulfilled that fixture.
There is talent in Wexford, St Martin's camogie club are in the All-Ireland club final by merit, and they will admit their toughest route was through Wexford.
Last year, a number of players didn't commit. I won't say it was a strike but they didn't commit to the management that was there. The management returned this year, and a lot of those players didn't return again.
Maybe this will bring the whole thing to head. If we let it go any further, this could do serious, serious damage.
It remains to be seen how the WGPA react to this latest embarrassment for the seven-time All-Ireland champions, who picked up a hat-trick of wins between 2010 and 2012.
