Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Wexford's Keith Rossiter is fast making a name for himself as a defender that forwards all over the country fear and his performances in the purple and gold this year saw him nominated for an All- Star.
Wexford had a great League campaign, making the semi-finals where they came up short against arch-rivals Kilkenny. They lost the Leinster final to the Cats as well, but came back to shock Tipperary in the All-Ireland quarter-final, even though Tipp were massive favourites. But again they were drawn against Kilkenny in the semi-final and although they were beaten, their defence that day was the only one not to cough up a goal to the Cats in this year's Championship.
Keith's talents are key to that defence, he can strike off both sides and is strong and fast. Keith's year was topped off when his club, Oulart the Ballagh won the Wexford county final and a sign that Keith will be adding more silverware to his cabinet before too long.
You had a great year at club level, but at county level Wexford were on the wrong end to Kilkenny a few times. What was your highlight?
Winning against Galway in the League quarter-final was a great boost early in the season, but the highlight was beating Tipperary in the All-Ireland quarter-final. We did it against the odds as everybody had us as the underdogs. Unfortunately, we drew the short straw again by coming up against an awesome Kilkenny side in the semi-final.
Who is the toughest team you have come up against?
Without a doubt it's Kilkenny. They have no weakness, they just have a strength in depth that other teams don't seem to have.
Who would be your toughest opponent?
Again I would have to go with Kilkenny lads - forwards Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin.
What players do you admire?
I admire Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, I think he has a great attitude towards the game.
Who were your heroes growing up?
Wexford's Liam Dunne. Liam is from my club, Oulart the Ballagh, and he played in the county final this year with a broken finger. He is 39 years of age and still going strong.
Who are your biggest rivals at club level?
Rathnure. We played them in two of the last four county finals. They beat us in the final last year, but we beat them in the semi-final this year.
What are your hopes for next year?
We will start from scratch again - beginning with the Walsh Cup. Our hope has to be to win every game and of course the inspiration is the chance to get to an All-Ireland final.
Do you play other sports?
I play a bit of Gaelic football and I play soccer for about five weeks of the year. It's nice to take a break and take your mind off hurling, even if it is only for a short while.
What are the most important skills?
Being able to strike the ball off both hands - if you only have one side you won't get away with it at the top level.
Have you any advice for young players?
Live with the hurley. I live next door to Wexford and Oulart forward, Rory Jacob, and we and our older brothers would be hurling non-stop when we were growing up, tapping the ball around even if we got into trouble for it!
Name: Keith Rossiter
Age: 23
Team: Wexford
Position: Defender
Club: Oulart the Ballagh
Debut: 2003 v Offaly
Honours:
1 Leinster Senior title,
1 Leinster U-21 title,
3 Fitzgibbon Cup titles,
1 Freshers All-Ireland title,
3 County Senior titles,
1 All-Star nomination,
3 Purple and Gold Stars.
Fav food: Bacon and cabbage
Fav band: The Killers
Fav book: The Hurling Year
Fav TV: Prison Break
Fave film: Shawshank Redemption
Occupation: Project Manager
CulFact:
Keith's club, Oulart the Ballagh, is the home of Wexford's last All-Ireland-winning captain. Martin Storey lifted the Cup when Wexford beat Limerick in the All-Ireland final in 1996.
© December 2007
|
