By Cian O'Connell

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This is Diarmuid O'Keeffe's fifth year on the inter-county beat for Wexford.

Excitement has been generated before, especially during the summer of 2014, but the recent signs of progress are everywhere.

Crucially Allianz Hurling League Division 1A status has been attained for 2018, while the Quarter-Final win over Kilkenny at Nowlan Park was another commendable achievement.

O'Keeffe hasn't played in the top flight for Wexford before so topping Division 1B was hugely satisfying. The early wins over Limerick and Galway put Wexford in a commanding position.

"We were delighted to get those wins over Limerick and Galway in the first two rounds," O'Keeffe reflects. 

"That gave us the belief to push on and put us in a nice position. It was left in our own hands then and that was fantastic. I think it was just a case that we said we were going to leave everything out there."

How Wexford, roared on by a vocal travelling support in Salthill, defeated Galway in the second round left an impression on O'Keeffe.

"A really far journey, it was crazy the amount of Wexford supporters that travelled that far," O'Keeffe says.

"They were all out on the pitch after the game. It was great, they're super supporters, real loyal supporters. They'd travel the length and breath of the country for Wexford hurling.

"They just love their hurling down there. There was no surprise that there was such a large crowd there in Galway. They've always been there supporting us all the way through. But it's amazing how one or two wins at the start of the League feeds into the support and maybe gives them the licence to support us that bit more."

The Wexford enthusiasts haven't been disappointed either and now O'Keeffe is relishing the opportunity to play against All Ireland champions Tipperary.

"We don't have a direct history of meeting them," O'Keeffe remarks.

"They're All-Ireland champions and as a result of being there or thereabouts, we're under no illusions about the quality they have.

"Unless we're at the peak of our performance on Sunday, we're not going to be up to it. Some formidable players there on an individual and collective level who've proved themselves."

A teacher at St Peter's, Dunboyne in Meath, where Kildare football captain Eoin Doyle also works, O'Keeffe is struck by the interest in all matters Gaelic Games at the school.

"It's not a hurling stronghold no, but you'd be surprised at how much the kids get into it," O'Keeffe reveals.

"There's a couple of young lads there in the Meath minor hurling setup so they're always enquiring how things are going on. They're great kids up there."

O'Keeffe is delighted by the impact Davy Fitzgerald has made, while also remembering Liam Dunne's work with Wexford.

"I was a bit surprised and excited at the same time," O'Keeffe says about Fitzgerald's appointment.

"He has been there with Clare and Waterford. He has won All-Ireland titles and National Leagues. He has a proven track record. We knew what we were getting ourselves into.

"He brings a lot of passion, commitment and energy which is exactly what we want. We're pushing the boat out and trying to be the best we can be on a collective level and individual level. Davy has set it up that we're trying to do it.

"Liam did fantastic work. He brought in some of the younger players. I came in during Liam's first year there. He brought in a lot of players and kind of nurtured them up through the ranks and it has fed in well to when Davy has come on board now."

Between 2013 and 2015 Wexford won three Leinster Under Championships in a row with O'Keeffe acknowledging the emergence of young players from those teams at the highest level.

"A lot of players are coming off those three Leinster U21 winning teams. The likes of Conor McDonald, Eoin Conroy, Shane O'Gorman, even Lee Chin was there the first year, Jack Guiney, Liam Ryan as well.

"They've brought a lot to the squad and brought their own dimension to Wexford hurling over the last couple of years."