Injuries too great a burden for Wexford

Wexford's injury problems have been well documented with Liam Dunne's broken leg proving extremely slow to heal and Gary Laffan running out of time before his hamstring recovered. These have been expected and although severe blows, have not interrupted championship plans in recent weeks.

The potential absence of Adrian Fenlon, however, would have put the tin hat on everything. Fenlon has been the team's most consistent performer in the last two years of plenty and his absence would probably have cost the team dearly - particularly as his partner is the extremely fit and willing but untested Robert Hassey.

As things stand, Fenlon has played some hurling this week and is expected to pass a fitness test tomorrow.

Offaly's full forward position has been left vacant, a surprise in that John Ryan received such positive notices in the position during the League. In truth, his form hasn't been hectic since the Clare match.

According to Offaly PRO Pat Teehan, "the selectors just haven't made up their minds yet. It could be John Ryan or it could be Billy Dooley with John Troy moving in to full forward. A decision won't be made until Sunday."

Troy worked very well in the admittedly less-than-demanding environment of the Meath match and his striking close to goal poses a threat to anyone. There was an impressive sweep to Offaly's play last month and their fate will hinge on how easily they can reproduce the moves in a competitive context.

It is a tribute to Wexford's new-found confidence over the last couple of years that they are approaching tomorrow in such a positive frame of mind. There have been improvements with Rory McCarthy in exceptional form during the NHL and Paul Codd also showing evidence of an impressive maturing.

The downside is the loss of Dunne and Laffan. Ironically Laffan whom many could take or leave during the successful All-Ireland campaign, showed excellent form last year both at full forward and at centre forward and arguably but for his injury, Wexford would have done better against Tipperary.

In his place comes Larry Murphy whose inflight heroics on the wing have been such a feature of the county's successes. Whether he has the patience and focus to make a living on the edge of the square remains to be seen.

Another switch is required to cover for Liam Dunne's unavailability. Larry O'Gorman doesn't appear the ideal centre back.

The belief here is that injuries to key personnel will be too much of a burden against an Offaly side that has looked refreshed by Babs Keating's first year in charge of them.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; C Kehoe, G Cushe, E Furlong; D Ruth, L O'Gorman, S Flood; A N Other, R Hassey; R McCarthy, M Storey, M Jordan; T Dempsey, L Murphy, P Codd.

OFFALY: S Byrne; Barry Whelahan, H Rigney, M Hanamy; C Cassidy, Brian Whelahan, K Martin; J Pilkington, G Hannify; Johnny Dooley, M Hand, M Duignan; Joe Dooley, A N Other, J Troy.