Impossible deleted from the lexicon for Meyler's men on a mission

THE WEXFORD manager John Meyler gave the media the impression earlier this week he was not concerned by mind games ahead of the Leinster hurling final against overwhelming favourites, Kilkenny. But who could blame the man for dabbling in minor psychological warfare? Brian Cody would expect nothing less from a worthy opponent.

So, no surprise then when official word came out of the Model County late on Tuesday night that Meyler would not be releasing his team until tomorrow night. Surely it's no coincidence this is the same time Cody always announces the Kilkenny line-up.

Holding off on team selection until late on Friday ensures minimal coverage, and so minimal exposure, in the lead-up to a game.

Most of Saturday's print coverage is feature-based, ensuring only a dramatic change in personnel will see the copy exceeding a few column inches.

"We've had ongoing problems with Ciarán Kenny; he has a broken bone in his hand so he's out for another two or three weeks," said Meyler.

"Stephen Nolan has a broken thumb so he won't be ready for three or four weeks. MJ Furlong has a broken fibula, which is probably 10 or 12 weeks. John O'Connor broke a foot training with Rathnure during the week so he'll be missing as well."

Fears for arguably hurling's best goalkeeper, Damien Fitzhenry, were, however, allayed last Monday at the press gathering in Carlow.

One thing about Meyler is he knows how to talk a good game. An engaging individual, he brings the winning mentality gained when switching allegiance to Cork hurling from 1983 to his inter-county retirement in 1987.

When asked about the size of the challenge ahead, he replied: "I think Mission Impossible was based on a tape that lasts 10 seconds; you just have to do whatever you're supposed to do. Mission impossible is on a tape and it's to beat Kilkenny next Sunday in Croke Park. That tape will self-destruct in 10 seconds; either we'll go out the door or not. I'm certainly not backing off.

"These two guys (Keith Rossiter and Damien Fitzhenry beside him) aren't backing off. Brian (Cody) has his job to do, I have my job to do. It's not mission impossible, no. I don't believe in things like that."

Okay then, but nothing has changed in the past 12 months to inspire a rational observer to believe Wexford hurling is closing the gap on Kilkenny. Meyler choose to echo the 1966 hit record by the Monkees.

"Because I'm a believer, I believe in belief and in the players that are there. Kilkenny are the barometer. They're at level five and if you want to compete you have to get up there with them and Brian has developed that over the last 10 years, a tremendous belief in winning.

"And that's what we're trying to instil in the Wexford team at the moment; that we're as good as Kilkenny and we have to believe that we're as good and that we can win, otherwise . . . mission impossible doesn't enter my vocabulary."

There was an obvious comparison - well, such is the rich history of Gaelic games there always is - and Meyler recalled the Cork footballers' plight during the Kerry monopoly of the 1970s.

"I'm good friends with that Cork team and they went out to face possibly the greatest football team ever and they had to do it, and we have to face Kilkenny."

He could have sat there and gone through the motions but Meyler appears to be the right man for Wexford hurling right now.

He said before the Dublin games his team would prevail if they reached their potential and that stance has not wavered in the face of the All-Ireland champions.

"If I can get 15 fellas playing to the best of their ability, Cody is going to be in trouble."

Meanwhile, the Kerry manager Pat O'Shea will release his team to face Cork in the Munster football final after training tonight. Fears over the fitness of Darragh Ó Sé and Killian Young have been allayed, while Seán O'Sullivan and Donnacha Walsh are expected to come in for the injured Declan O'Sullivan and the suspended Paul Galvin, though Darren O'Sullivan remains a viable alternative in both attacking positions.

Tomás Ó Sé takes over the captaincy from Galvin, who is expected to appeal his 24-week ban to the Disputes Resolution Authority next week.