Striving to find right X-factor

Wexford hurlers can mix it the best if they approach the game correctly, their fitness coach Jim Kilty tells Ian O'Riordan

When people refer to the X-factor in sport they usually mean some unknown element that accounts for success. It could be a mental or physical thing, that somehow creates an extra edge. The Wexford hurlers frequently displayed an X-factor in their success stories of recent years, but it appears there's also some X-factor behind their failures.

That's the view of their fitness trainer Jim Kilty, who is probably better known as coach to World indoor hurdles champion Derval O'Rourke, but is now in his third year with the Wexford hurlers, and prior to that worked with Tipperary. Kilty also offers a unique perspective on their chances in Sunday's Leinster final against Kilkenny in that he doesn't come from a strict hurling background, and sees Wexford more for what they're capable of on the day rather than what they've done in the past.

"We have seen over the years how some Wexford teams find it difficult to stay focused," he says, "and instead maybe raise their game from time to time, which some people see as a deficiency.

"But I think this present bunch are doing everything in their power to overcome that, and have tried extremely hard to put that deficiency behind them.

"And I also sense that this present bunch of players are beginning to demand greater commitment from themselves. But then I understand why the press around the country are fed up trying to predict Wexford, because they just don't know which Wexford is going to turn up."

While Kilty's main job is to get Wexford physically ready for the championship, he has also got to know their mental approach - which has impressed him: "There is something about Wexford hurlers that I love, and that is their ability to take on a challenge. Especially if their backs are to the wall.

"So there is some X-factor there that makes them play well, but there's also an X-factor there that leads to the odd collapse. Even in the time I've been with them, they beat Kilkenny in the Leinster championship, went on the quarter-final, and then imploded.

"And then last year, the first season for Séamus Murphy, they'd a very good start to the league, collapse in the second phase, come out in the championship and gave Kilkenny a right rattle, and when it came to the qualifiers collapsed again."

He also points out that such a phenomenon is not unique to Wexford: "Any team can collapse under pressure. We saw that when Kilkenny played Offaly last year. Offaly practically allowed Kilkenny to walk all over them. But that's something you can't always put your finger.

"I think hurling is a very unforgiving game, much more so that football, in the sense that if someone gets a run at you there's very little you can do.

"But I also think tradition is huge when it comes to hurling. The tradition of success that Kilkenny have built up is very hard to overcome. And Wexford have suffered a little as well from being a very strong duel county, good enough to play in Division One of both leagues. That still doesn't explain why Wexford play so well on some occasions, and not so well on others."

Pinpointing the X-factor that accounts for failure is as difficult defining the one that accounts for success, although Kilty has his theories. "Maybe Wexford don't always realise or believe how good they are. But they are an interesting county, for sure. There are some very talented hurlers, and some very strong characters. They certainly play with their heart on their sleeve.

"I still can't see anyone giving Wexford much of a hope on Sunday. But I do expect this team to make it a tremendous battle, knowing that Wexford will be giving it 100 per cent."