A defining moment for all Wexford supporters during this year's Leinster hurling final was the defence-splitting 50-yard solo run at the Kilkenny cover by Larry Murphy.

Coming towards the end of that blistering sub 10-second burst, the Cloughbawn man was acutely aware of the goal famine that has been stifling Wexford's progress for three seasons.

"Instead of running the risk of a mis-hit shot I decided to pass inside to Paul Codd, unfortunately James McGarry brought off a great save," reflects Murphy.

"We need to score goals, we have only netted one so far in two championship seasons. We have yet to get one in the current campaign. DJ only needed one sniff of the ball at the other end to stick it in the net against us."

Nobody is more aware of Wexford's goal-shy games than manager Tony Dempsey and his selectors. When naming the team for Sunday's showdown with Limerick they showed a willingness to sacrifice Murphy's ability to turn up the steam with runs from the forty by placing him closer to goal in the hope of recreating a Nicky Rackard type threat.

"Management probably feel that I would be better-placed to find the net from the edge of the square," opinions Murphy. "If we get past the 14 and have a chance of a goal we must take that chance."

The inspirational Cloughbawn man relishes a fresh challenge taking the field in any game. Limerick's full back TJ Ryan will provide that particular challenge on Sunday. Wexford-Limerick championship clashes have been few but their last championship meeting, the 1996 All-Ireland final, still rankles in the Limerick mindset while giving sustained joy to Wexford followers.

"No doubt they are still looking for revenge for that defeat and feel they need to put the record straight. There was a goal they still feel they should have got and when you're beaten by two points in an All-Ireland final you are bound to focus on any little issue that could turn the tables the next time," says Murphy.

The restoration of pride in Wexford hurling is a serious priority for Murphy and his team-mates this Sunday. "This is our All-Ireland final. We've been training for this since November. Every bookie and reporter had us beaten at this stage. We have to restore a lot of pride.

"Our experiences in Croke Park have not been great in recent times, we have been beaten by Offaly two years in a row and then beaten by 13 points in a Leinster final. Limerick in many ways are in the same position as us with regard strength in depth.

"We wouldn't have 30 exceptional hurlers to choose from, whereas, if you look at Tipperary, Eugene O'Neill, Liam Cahill and the other guys they brought in against Limerick could get into any other county team in the country."

As Murphy sees it the main demands for Wexford on Sunday are: "We have to keep Mark Foley on the back foot, we have to keep Ciarβn Carey from making his runs, we have to stop Ollie Moran from making those big catches and we have to prevent (Brian) Begley from dominating the square."

Murphy does not hesitate in stressing the importance of certain individual duals. "Liam Dunne versus Ollie Moran is going to be a huge battle, Darragh Ryan and Begley is also going to have a huge bearing, two big strong men." Then there is the usual key area of midfield, "You're fighting a lost cause if your midfield is in trouble."

What of Murphy's fresh rivalry with TJ Ryan, who was in fact a full forward in 1996?

"To be honest I have done nothing but study his form on video against Waterford, Cork and Tipp. . . He is a bit like the traditional type full back. He'll slog it out with ye."

The wholehearted Cloughbawn player, now finding himself in closer proximity to the Limerick posts for battle with TJ Ryan, could prove the trump card to end Wexford's championship goal drought.