Can we play you every week? Wexford's Kilkenny conundrum

The 10-minute delay to throw-in at Wexford Park on Sunday allowed for a loud rendition of 'Boolavogue' - a 1798-inspired epic that has more verses than American Pie.

If the intention was to whip the sizeable home support into a fervour it was unnecessary, the Wexford fans had turned out in force.

Back to the scene of the crime, seven days after the horrifying second-half collapse to Westmeath. No matter, this was Kilkenny, Wexford fans always turn up for Kilkenny.

Even during the dog days of the late 2000s and most of the next decade, the fans still showed up for the biennial beating from the Stripey Men.

Double-digit whompings became par for the course, as Brian Cody's history-making Cats tuned up for the best of Munster by grinding their neighbours into the turf, usually of Croke Park.

Wexford hurling folk were suffering from some form of Stockholm Syndrome, becoming somewhat infatuated with the team that kept a jackboot on their throats

Yet there was no massive animosity or hatred. Perhaps that was part of the problem. As fans, and maybe as players, Wexford hurling folk were suffering from some form of Stockholm Syndrome, becoming somewhat infatuated with the team that kept a jackboot on their throats.

There were so many awful defeats, most stricken from the memory, but we can't forget that 2008 Leinster SHC defeat - 5-21 to 0-17.

Sure, you've shipped a 19-point defeat, but it was against the best that ever did it. And they don't overcarry as much now that DJ is gone.

"There is no hatred whatsoever but there is a massive passion when they play each other," agrees Wexford defender Simon Donohue.

"There would always be respect. That team they had in noughties, they were a savage team. They're in the Leinster final now and you'd