Sport

Wexford v Longford - New Ross, 3.30

Tomorrow Wexford folk get the chance to see if their players have recovered from the unfortunate JJ Barrett incident

Sat May 08 1999 - 01:00

Tomorrow Wexford folk get the chance to see if their players have recovered from the unfortunate JJ Barrett incident. It was a bitter end to a progressive season which might well have finished with promotion. Chances are, however, that Barrett's work is still having a positive spin-off. Still, there will be no complacency here as memories of last year, when Longford eliminated them after a replay, are still vivid.

But Longford have taken a bit of a buffeting in the league this year and are still selecting teams with an emphasis on the future. Both teams will have short summer lives, but Wexford look likely to gain the few weeks reprieve.

Team Selections

Wexford: O Murphy; D Breen, M Kavanagh, D Redmond; C Sunderland, R Stafford, L O'Brien; J Harrington, J Darcy; J Hegarty, P Forde, J Byrne; S Doran, M Mahon, J Lawlor.

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Longford: JJ Reilly; M Mulready, D Ledwith, R Forbes; C Keigh, F McNamee, T Smullen; D Hannify, E Barden; D Farrell, C Haniffy, C Barden; T Drake, N Sheridan, P Davis.

Team News

While Wexford have a familiar look about them, Longford go into this match with seven newcomers, including a completely untried full-back line. Goalkeeper JJ Reilly is also untested at this level, while both wing forwards are also making their debuts. Veteran Dessie Barry is one of the players to lose out in the reshuffle, but is expected to be called from the bench at some stage over the afternoon.

Key Confrontation

Mike McCormack's decision to go with a completely raw full-back line was courageous, but may make for anxious viewing against a Wexford unit which has been buzzing all year. Expect long ball to rain down on the novices early and often, and if they get the jitters in the first 15 minutes, it could be a forlorn afternoon for Longford.

View From The Camps

"It is only five weeks since the aftermath of the match in Cavan when JJ (Barrett) resigned. The management and the players and the county board were all agreed that we could not let what we had achieved slip away. In fact, in a strange way it has been a help to us and will be a great spur on Sunday."

- Ger Halligan (Wexford manager)

"We are in a rebuilding process in terms of the county team and to achieve and develop you have to run to the younger generation. I can only ask the players to do their best. Sunday will tell a great deal about the team."

- Mike McCormack (Longford manager)

Verdict: Wexford