Offaly to maintain upper hand

Wexford v Offaly:A LOT OF history between these teams, but it's only the recent stuff that matters. Wexford looked to have the edge when the sides clashed in the league in early April, but in the Division Two final three weeks ago Offaly looked the superior team and it would require a stark reversal of form for them to lose out here.

No surprise then manager Joe Dooley has named the same team which accounted for Wexford that day. David Kenny is fit to take his place at full back, but it’s the experience in the team – Ger Oakley captains from centre back in his 13th campaign with Offaly – that suggests they’ll be too much for Wexford to handle.

Wexford look an even more weakened challenge from three weeks ago. Missing are Stephen Nolan (groin), Eoin Quigley (cruciate ligament), Colm Farrell (broken leg), Barry Lambert (shoulder), Keith Rossiter (groin) and Darren Stamp (hand and groin). Nolan is a huge loss.

So manager Colm Bonnar has recalled David “Doc” O’Connor, but also gives championship debuts to Tomás Waters, Andrew Shore and Peter Atkinson in the forward line. Stephen Banville is available at full forward, after his four-week ban for an incident involving Offaly’s Kevin Brady in the league final was overturned. There are some old heads in there, not least Damien Fitzhenry in goal, yet this has the feel of a Wexford team in transition.

Offaly haven’t beaten Wexford in the championship since the 2000 provincial semi-final at Croke Park. However, Wexford have won the last three, including the Leinster final of 2004.

WEXFORD: D. Fitzhenry; M Travers, P Roche, D O’Connor; M Jacob, R Kehoe, C Kenny; S Doyle, D Redmond; T Waters, A Shore D Lyng (capt); R Jacob, S Banville, P Atkinson.

OFFALY: B Mullins; D Franks, D Kenny, P Cleary; R Hanniffy, G Oakley (capt), J Rigney; K Brady, B Murphy; D Currams, J Brady, D Molloy; B Carroll, J Bergin, S Dooley.

In the last episode: Championship-wise that was the 2006 Leinster semi-final, where Wexford prevailed by the narrowest of margins, 0-9 to 0-8, but truth is Offaly’s Division Two league win just three weeks ago is the far more relevant result.

You bet: Even money for a home or away win, but the real interesting bet is the draw – listed at 10 to 1. In 31 championship meetings (18-13 in Wexford’s favour) the sides have never drawn, despite many close calls. This has to be a good bet for those bent on the law of averages.

On your marks: Wexford had a poor first half in the Division Two final and simply can’t afford to do likewise here. The problem is Offaly have the more experienced forward line and could put the game out of sight early on once again.

Gaining ground: Few county venues are more suited for sunny summer evening throw-ins than Wexford Park; it’s intimate and a fine surface, which should help make for a quality game of hurling.

Just the ticket: Stand tickets are priced at €20, the uncovered terrace €15. Under-16s are admitted free to the uncovered terrace only, with the usual OAP and student concessions applying (€5 rebate on terrace).

Crystal glazing: Hard to see past the form, experience and desire of this Offaly team, but Wexford will have the vocal home support to call on to at least make an honest contest of it.