Leinster duo plot second-tier escape

MUCH like the Division One decider, the elephant in the room ahead of tomorrow’s Division Two final is a five goal defeat, or victory depending on your persuasion, in the group stages.

Wexford rattled 5-14 past Offaly in Round 6 early last month, a win that re-ignited their promotion prospects after the shock round three loss to Antrim.

That result is enough to leave them as favourites for tomorrow’s rematch though Offaly won’t be overly concerned by that.

The truth is that Wexford had far more to play for that day as they simply had to win to make the final and capitalised on home advantage.

Thurles will present a more level playing field for the sides who, ironically, both lost to Waterford on their last official visits there.

Wexford were beaten by a point in a thrilling All-Ireland quarter-final last July, while Offaly went down by six in the final round of qualifiers.

Both managers agree that Division One hurling next season is vital to build on those type of championship performances going forward.

“Looking at the league results from Offaly and Wexford games this year, there were an awful lot of one-sided matches and, if that continues, it’ll do them and the Division Two teams no good,” said Wexford manager Colm Bonnar.

Such sentiment will be left parked outside Semple Stadium though as the Leinster rivals meet for the second of three scheduled clashes.

Promotion is important but equally so is gaining the upper hand ahead of the May 30 rematch when a place in the Leinster semi-final will be at stake.

Offaly boss Joe Dooley said: “Obviously you’d like to win and take that as an advantage going into the championship encounter so it makes this game all the more important for both of us.”

Wexford are deserved favourites based on a 16 point greater scoring average in the league while the experience of playing in, if admittedly not winning, the last four Leinster finals against Kilkenny is significant.

Perhaps the sides’ last championship meeting in 2006, which ended Wexford 0-9 to Offaly’s 0-8, is the best indication of how things are likely to pan out.