Wexford's heroics beat all

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: With the immediate rays of glory falling upon the Wexford team bus as it pulled away from sodden Tuam on Sunday evening, it was easy to forget that their win in Galway was significant in the broader picture.

Like Limerick, the other newcomers to top-division football, Pat Roe's team ensured they won't be returning to the lower divisions.

"That's the important thing. Our primary objective to retain that status has been achieved. And we can go for the bonus now and try and make the play-offs. We have one game left and for us it is a great game because Laois are unbeaten since the break in the league and they are a team coming back into form. So it is a real test and we still have one eye on the championship."

The general achievement was heightened by the singular excellence of Mattie Forde. The Wexford forward gave an exhibition that will hardly be bettered this year.

"Absolutely, yeah," says Roe. "He is a class player. But I have always said it - he plays in corner forward and he needs to get a supply. So he needs lads to work out the field for him. Now, he is a clinical finisher, he is as good as anything in the business as far as I am concerned. But the work has to be done to create space and get him the ball. But he will do the job once he gets it."

But surely even Roe must have been taken aback by the sight of his captain breaching Galway's defence with three goals in as many minutes?

"Three and a half minutes? Well, that's not going to happen every Sunday. But it's the nature of the finish - it's unstoppable. I mean, it is great to have a player like that but we are about 30 lads working hard."

The unimaginable extent of Wexford's whopping victory caused a number of other startling results to get overlooked. However, Sunday was the day for the underdog, with London breaking their losing streak with a great win in Dr Cullen Park, Carlow. That win - the expatriates' first in four years - was even more surprising than Wicklow's 1-06 to 0-07 win over Derry. Consistent throughout the league, Hugh Kenny's team now have an opportunity of emulating teams like Wexford and charging into the first division.

It all makes for a fascinating close to the regular league season on Sunday week. Kerry are strong contenders for the semi-finals but must face All-Ireland champions Tyrone - who have yet to play their postponed game against Cork - in the defining game of Division One A.

Division One B, though, is more fickle than a stock market during a depression.

Limerick, excellent all season and leading the division, have still not booked their passage after getting hit with a late goal in Sligo yesterday. That drawn game means that should they lose to Armagh in their final game, a win for Wexford would leave Limerick finishing in third place.

Wexford's scoring difference is vastly superior to that of their immediate rivals, meaning that no matter what transpires they are safe.

Laois visit Wexford Park for the final game and must win if they are to avoid exiting first division football with already relegated Cavan. Above Laois are Sligo, Galway and Meath, all on six points and therefore on treacherous ground. Relegation is a realistic threat but the play-offs are still within reach, pending results.

If Limerick beat Armagh and if Laois beat Wexford, then wins for Sligo, Galway and Meath could elevate any one of those teams into the second spot. Conversely, if Laois win and Sligo, Galway or Meath lose, then one of those three will be facing Division Two football next season. Wexford will be glad to pass on their tattered Rough Guide.