Wexford's Saturday night is for fighting relegation

WEXFORD hurling manager Rory Kinsella had a reassuring message yesterday for supporters of the county team who may be feeling disillusioned with the dismal National League record of the reigning All-Ireland champions.

On Saturday evening in New Ross they take on joint Division One table-toppers Kilkenny in what must be regarded as a make or break league match for Wexford.

Speaking of the county's record so far, Kinsella says: "The players are not complacent. Obviously you would prefer to have won a few games. I cannot say anything except good about the lads and the amount of commitment they have put in," he adds.

The reigning All-Ireland champions have had only one win in five outings in this year's league - against relegation-destined Laois. Last year they reached the semi-finals of the competition, where they were beaten by Galway.

Kinsella and his players are acutely aware how important a win against Kilkenny and against Clare in the last match of the round robin phase could prove if relegation is to be avoided.

"It's been difficult for us to get back on the winning trail, says Kinsella. "A lot of our games have been very close. We lost to Limerick by two points and Offaly beat us with an injury-time goal. While we didn't play well against Tipperary we were still level with about seven minutes to go.

"It's just a matter of getting into that winning way again. We've been training very hard. I couldn't fault the lads' commitment. We do a minimum of two, maybe three, nights a week and at the weekends."

Any thoughts of a return to Croke Park on the first Sunday in September are far from the minds of Kinsella's players. He says that the only game they are interested in at this moment is this Kilkenny game on Saturday night, and needless to say the Leinster championship semi-final, which will be their first outing in the competition. "We are not thinking of All-Irelands," says Kinsella.

By the time Wexford's opening defence of their Leinster crown comes around on June 22nd against Laois, Offaly or Meath Kinsella hopes that Division One league status will be assured.

Several new players have been introduced to the panel of 30, among them a very promising defender, Eugene Furlong. "Some of these players have played in our league matches, but whether our personnel will change dramatically from last year for the championship we're not too sure."

From the moment Kinsella took charge of the team in the wake of last year's All-Ireland win, his every move has been compared with his illustrious predecessor, Liam Griffin.

Kinsella asserts: "The players realise that something different has to be done now in order to win. It's a whole different ball game to last year. Last year is history. We have lost games, we have had disappointing displays, and disappointing results but we're not too far away."

Kinsella forecasts a huge crowd for Saturday evening's game in New Ross which will have a minor hurling game between the same counties as a curtain-raiser.

"I would hope to get an excellent performance on Saturday night and a much improved display from the Tipperary game," says the Bunclody man.

Kinsella sums up the mood in the camp thus: "Basically, we are disappointed with our league performance, we're working hard and looking forward to the championship.

Meanwhile, Offaly manager John McIntyre will be unable to include midfielder Michael Duignan for Sunday's clash with Laois in Tullamore. The St Rynagh's utility player, who made a telling contribution with two goals against Tipperary, is side-lined with a calf muscle injury picked up, while playing for his club at the weekend.

John Troy is also likely to miss the game because the thumb injury he sustained against Kilkenny acted up during a club match last weekend.

Offaly's injury worries are perhaps causing more concern in the Offaly camp than the expected challenge from Laois.

Offaly defenders Kevin Martin and Brian Whelehan are nursing pulled hamstring injuries, Joe Errity has a damaged shoulder, while Gary Cahill is complaining of a sprained ankle.

Laois manager Babs Keating can count on John Taylor and Niall Rigney to be fit. They missed the Limerick match because of injury but are now back in training.

Laois's decision to concede home advantage could yet have repercussions, notably in Wexford, Clare and Tipperary. These counties do not take too kindly to the re-sitting of the match in Tullamore and the advantage the switch affords a close rival on the Division One table.

Dublin's splendid unbeaten run in Division Two may be sustained against Ant rim at Parnell Park on Sunday, but Colin Fetherstone, their two-goal debutant against Waterford last time out, is doubtful.

He tore wrist ligaments in that game and has difficulty with his grip on the burley. The St Vincent's man has an appointment with sports injury specialist Dr Pat O'Neill this week.

Dublin full back Sean Power is also a doubtful starter due to a hand injury.