Keith Rossiter (born 16 January 1984) is an Irish former hurler and currently the manager of the Wexford senior hurling team. He played for Wexford Senior Championship club Oulart–The Ballagh and was a member of the Wexford senior hurling team for 12 seasons, during which time he usually lined out as a full-back.

Keith Rossiter
Personal information
Irish name Ceiteach Ó Roiseteir
Sport Hurling
Position Full-back
Born (1984-01-16) 16 January 1984 (age 40)
Oulart, County Wexford, Ireland
Occupation Sales rep
Club(s)
Years Club
2002-
Oulart–The Ballagh
Club titles
Wexford titles 10
Leinster titles 1
All-Ireland Titles 0
Colleges(s)
Years College
2002-2006
Waterford Institute of Technology
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 2
Inter-county(ies)*
Years County Apps (scores)
2004-2015
Wexford 33 (0-00)
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles 1
All-Irelands 0
NHL 0
All Stars 0
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 17:39, 23 July 2019.

Playing career

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Waterford Institute of Technology

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As a student at the Waterford Institute of Technology, Rossiter immediately became involved in hurling as a member of the Waterford IT freshers' team. He joined the senior hurling team during his second year.

On 6 March 2004, Rossiter lined out at centre-back when the Waterford Institute of Technology faced University College Cork in the Fitzgibbon Cup final. He ended the game with his first winners' medal as Waterford IT retained the title following an 0-11 to 0-09 victory.[1]

On 4 March 2006, Rossiter played in a second Fitzgibbon Cup final in three years. Lining out at right corner-back he claimed a second winners' medal after a 4-13 to 0-08 defeat of University College Dublin.[2]

Oulart–The Ballagh

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Rossiter joined the Oulart–The Ballagh club at a young age and played in every grade at juvenile and underage levels. He enjoyed championship success in the under-21 grade before becoming a member of the club's senior team.

On 17 October 2004, Rossiter lined out at full-back when Oulart–The Ballagh faced reigning-champions Rathnure in the Wexford Senior Championship final. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1-17 to 1-10 victory.[3]

Oulart–The Ballagh qualified for a second successive final on 23 October 2005 with Rossiter once again lining out at full-back. He claimed a second successive winners' medal after the 1-15 to 1-09 victory over St. Martin's.[4]

Rossiter lined out in a third successive final on 16 October 2006 with Rathnure providing the opposition. After starting the game at full-back he was switched to midfield to curb the influence of Paul Codd, however, the game ended in a draw.[5] Rossiter was switched to right corner-back for the replay on 22 October 2006, however, he ended the game on the losing side after a 1-12 to 0-06 defeat.[6]

On 21 October 2007, Rossiter lined out at centre-back in a fourth successive final when Oulart–The Ballagh faced Buffer's Alley. He claimed a third winners' medal following the 4-14 to 2-06 victory.

Oulart-the Ballagh qualified for a fifth successive final on 3 November 2008 with St. Martin's providing the opposition. Rossiter was switched from being a defender to centre-forward, however, he was held scoreless in the 1-13 to 1-08 defeat.

Rossiter was moved back to his more regular position of centre-back when Oulart–The Ballagh faced Buffer's Alley in a second final in three years on 11 October 2009. He ended the game with a fourth winners' medal following the 3-12 to 1-13 victory.[7]

On 10 October 2010, Rossiter captained the team when Oulart–The Ballagh faced St. Martin's in the final once again. He ended the game with a fifth winners' medal following the 1-14 to 0-06 victory.[8] Rossiter was again at full-back when Oulart–The Ballagh suffered a 0-14 to 1-08 defeat by O'Loughlin Gaels in the Leinster final on 30 January 2011.[9]

Rossiter was selected at full-back when Oulart–The Ballagh faced Rathnure in the final on 9 October 2011. He claimed a sixth winners' medal following the 1-10 to 0-11 victory.[10] On 27 November 2011, Rossiter lined out in a second successive Leinster final but ended on the losing side once again following a 1-15 to 1-11 defeat by Coolderry.[11]

On 14 October 2012, Rossiter captained Oulart–The Ballagh against Faythe Harriers in the Wexford Senior Championship final. He was described as having an "inspirational game" at full-back and collected a seventh winners' medal following the 2-12 to 0-13 victory.[12] On 9 December 2012, Rossiter was again at full-back when Oulart-the Ballagh suffered a 1-12 to 0-11 defeat by Kilcormac/Killoughey in the Leinster final.[13]

On 20 October 2013, Rossiter lined out at full-back when Oulart–The Ballagh took on Ferns St. Aidan's in the 2013 Wexford Senior Championship final. He collected an eighth winners' medal following the 3-12 to 1-16 victory.[14] On 1 December 2013, Rossiter was again at full-back when Oulart-the Ballagh suffered an 0-11 to 0-08 defeat by Mount Leinster Rangers in a fourth successive Leinster final.[15]

Rossiter lined out in an 11th Wexford Senior Championship final on 25 October 2015. He "dominated" in front of goal as a full-back and collected a ninth winners' medal following the 2-15 to 0-13 defeat of St. Martin's.[16] On 29 November 2015, Rossiter was again at full-back when Oulart–The Ballagh defeated Cuala by 2-13 to 0-13 to win the Leinster Championship.[17]

On 16 October 2016, Rossiter played in his 12th Wexford Senior Championship final. Lining out at full-back, he ended the game with a remarkable 10th winners' medal following the 0-17 to 1-11 defeat of Cloughbawn.[18]

Oulart–The Ballagh qualified for another Wexford Senior Championship final on 22 October 2017. Rossiter again lined out full-back, however, he ended the game on the losing side for the third time in his career following the 2-16 to 1-09 defeat by St. Martin's.[19]

Wexford

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Minor and under-21

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Rossiter was just 16-years-old when he first lined out for Wexford as a member of the minor team during the 2000 Leinster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 24 June 2000 when he lined out at right corner-back in a 3-09 to 1-14 defeat by Dublin.

Eligible for the minor grade in 2001, Rossiter was unable to line out due to injury. After receiving a back injury in a club game, an MRI scan showed that he had cracked his spine after a vertebra broke off. Rossiter subsequently underwent an operation with a 25% chance of being confined to a wheelchair. The operation and year-long rehabilitation were a complete success.[20]

Rossiter was drafted onto the Wexford under-21 team in advance of the 2003 Leinster Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 24 June 2003 when he lined out at centre-back in Wexford's 2-16 to 0-09 defeat by Dublin.

On 14 July 2004, Rossiter was again at centre-back when Wexford qualified to play Kilkenny in the Leinster final at Wexford Park. He ended the game on the losing side following a 1-16 to 2-03 defeat.[21]

Rossiter was eligible for the under-21 grade for a third and final season in 2005. He played his last game in the grade on 22 June 2005 when Wexford suffered a 2-13 to 0-15 defeat by Kilkenny.

Senior

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Rossiter was added to the Wexford senior panel in advance of the 2003 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 22 February 2003 when he lined out at left wing-back in Wexford's 2-16 to 1-14 defeat of Derry in their opening league game. Rossiter made his Leinster Championship debut on 8 June 2003 when he lined out at left corner-back in a 0-16 to 1-12 defeat of Offaly.[22] He was switched to right wing-back for the Leinster final on 6 July 2003 but ended on the losing side after a 2-23 to 2-12 defeat by Kilkenny.

On 4 July 2004, Rossiter was selected on the bench when Wexford lined out against Offaly in the Leinster final. He remained on the bench for the entire game but ended the game with a winners' medal following the 2-12 to 1-11 defeat of Offaly.[23]

Rossiter was back on the starting fifteen at left corner-back when Wexford faced Kilkenny in the Leinster final on 7 July 2005. He ended the game on the losing side after a 0-22 to 1-16 victory for Kilkenny.[24]

Rossiter was appointed captain of the Wexford senior team for the 2006 season.[25] He lined out in a fourth successive Leinster final on 2 July 2006 with Kilkenny providing the opposition for the third time. Rossiter ended the game as a runner-up following the 1-23 to 2-12 defeat.[26]

On 1 July 2007, Rossiter lined out in a fifth successive Leinster final. Playing at centre-back, he ended the game on the losing side for the fourth time in his career after a 2-24 to 1-12 defeat by Kilkenny.[27]

Rossiter lined out in a sixth successive Leinster final on 6 July 2008, however, for the fifth time in his career Rossiter ended up on the losing side after a 5-21 to 0-17 defeat by Kilkenny.[28]

On 2 May 2010, Rossiter lined out at full-back when Wexford faced Clare in the National League Division 2 final. He ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1-16 to 2-09 victory.[29]

Rossiter announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 28 January 2015. He said: "It's something I've been thinking about probably since last year...In my own eyes I'd have looked at 2014, coming into that season, as being my last one. No one knew that, but it was always at the back of my mind."[30]

Leinster

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Rossiter was first selected for the Leinster inter-provincial team during the 2012 Inter-provincial Championship. On 4 March 2012, he lined out at full-back when Leinster defeated Connacht by 2-19 to 1-15 to win the Railway Cup.[31]

On 1 March 2014, Rossiter was selected for the Leinster team for the Railway Cup final against Connacht. He was an unused substitute throughout the game but collected a second winners' medal following the 1-23 to 0-16 victory.[32]

Coaching career

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Wexford

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On 9 November 2016, it was revealed that Rossiter had joined Davy Fitzgerald's Wexford senior hurling management team as a coach.[33] In his first season as a coach, he helped guide the team to promotion to Division 1A of the National Hurling League after remaining undefeated in the group stage.[34] On 2 July 2017, Rossiter was part of the management team that saw Wexford reach a first Leinster final in nine years, only to lose to Galway by 0-29 to 1-17.[35]

On 20 January 2018, Rossiter was coach when Wexford drew 1-24 apiece with Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup final. Wexford won the subsequent free-taking shoot-out, with Rossiter securing his first silverware with Wexford.[36]

Wexford reached a second Leinster final in three years on 30 June 2019 with Rossiter on the sideline once again. A 1-23 to 0-23 defeat of Kilkenny secured a first Leinster Championship since Rossiter's own playing career in 2004.[37]

Career statistics

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Team Year National League Leinster All-Ireland Total
Division Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score
Wexford 2003 Division 1B 6 0-00 2 0-00 0 0-00 8 0-00
2004 3 0-00 0 0-00 1 0-00 4 0-00
2005 8 0-00 2 0-00 1 0-00 11 0-00
2006 Division 1A 7 0-00 2 0-00 1 0-00 10 0-00
2007 6 0-00 2 0-00 2 0-00 10 0-00
2008 5 0-00 2 0-00 1 0-00 8 0-00
2009 Division 2 1 0-00 0 0-00 1 0-00 2 0-00
2010 6 0-00 1 0-00 1 0-00 8 0-00
2011 Division 2 5 0-00 2 0-00 1 0-00 8 0-00
2012 Division 1B 5 0-00 1 0-00 2 0-00 8 0-00
2013 0 0-00 1 0-00 1 0-00 2 0-00
2014 5 0-00 2 0-00 4 0-00 11 0-00
Career total 57 0-00 17 0-00 16 0-00 90 0-00

Honours

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As a player

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Waterford Institute of Technology
Oulart–The Ballagh
Wexford
Leinster

As a coach

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Wexford

References

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  1. ^ "Waterford retain Fitzgibbon Cup". Breaking News. 6 March 2004. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Ryan's hat-trick sees WIT stroll to Fitzgibbon glory". Irish Independent. 6 March 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  3. ^ Mooney, Brendan (18 October 2004). "Oulart-The-Ballagh shock the champions". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Doyle makes his presence felt". Irish Times. 24 October 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Oulart regroup to earn rematch after thriller with rivals Rathnure". Irish Independent. 16 October 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Rathnure end Oulart's reign". Irish Times. 23 October 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Wexford SHC: Kirwan leads Oulart to glory". Hogan Stand. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  8. ^ Hogan, Vincent (11 October 2010). "Vincent Hogan: Sinnott punishes St Martin's lack of ambition". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Gaels stand tall when it matters". Irish Times. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  10. ^ "Wexford SHC: Oulart complete three-in-a-row". Hogan Stand. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  11. ^ Moynihan, Michael (28 November 2011). "Coolderry make Oulart pay". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  12. ^ "Jacob turns the tide to ensure Oulart pick up another crown". Irish Independent. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  13. ^ "Currams magic ends yet another Oulart fairytale". Irish Independent. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  14. ^ "Wexford SHC final: High fives all round for history making Oulart". Hogan Stand website. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  15. ^ Keys, Colm (2 December 2013). "Rangers deliver landmark day for Carlow". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  16. ^ "Jacob shines as Oulart-The Ballagh land their sixth crown in seven years". Irish Independent. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  17. ^ Keane, Paul (29 November 2015). "Bridesmaids no more! Oulart-The Ballagh finally get their hands on Leinster hurling title". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Flannery looks to Leinster after Oulart's lucky 13". Irish Independent. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  19. ^ Furlong, Brendan (23 October 2017). "St Martin's upset the formbook in Wexford decider". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  20. ^ "Back on track". Irish Examiner. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  21. ^ "Kilkenny tease and torment home side into submission". Irish Times. 15 July 2004. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  22. ^ "Wexford delight in classic". Irish Independent. 9 June 2003. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  23. ^ "Wexford win Leinster final". RTÉ Sport. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  24. ^ "Cats survive severe scalding". Irish Independent. 4 July 2005. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  25. ^ O'Sullivan, Jim (9 June 2006). "Nothing but an All-Ireland win will do for Rossiter". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  26. ^ O'Sullivan, Jim (3 July 2006). "Confident Cats never forced out of the comfort zone". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  27. ^ "Kilkenny sail through Leinster final". Breaking News. 1 July 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  28. ^ O'Riordan, Ian (7 July 2008). "Wexford's fresh approach to old tale falls away to same old gory ending". Irish Times. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  29. ^ "NHL 2 final: Jacob goal seals title for Wexford". Hogan Stand. 2 May 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  30. ^ Kelly, Liam (28 January 2015). "Rossiter bids farewell to his county career with Wexford". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  31. ^ "Leinster take interprovincial hurling crown". Irish Examiner. 4 March 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  32. ^ "Leinster clinch inter-pro title". Irish Examiner. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  33. ^ "Rossiter added to Davy's backroom team". Hogan Stand. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  34. ^ Small, Darragh (12 March 2017). "Wexford clinch Division 1A promotion with fourth straight win in Tullamore". The 42. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  35. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (2 July 2017). "Conor Cooney masterclass leads Galway past Wexford to their first Leinster title since 2012". The 42. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  36. ^ Aherne, Alan (27 January 2018). "Fanning hits winner in historic shoot-out". Gorey Guardian. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  37. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (30 June 2019). "Wexford land first Leinster title in 15 years with thrilling victory over Kilkenny". The 42. Retrieved 1 July 2019.