They missed out on the big prize but yesterday proves their place in history is safe.

Reigning champions Oulart-The Ballagh maintained their momentum towards a fourth consecutive title when they easily accounted for a disappointing Cloughbawn in the Pettitt’s Wexford SHC at St Patrick’s Park, Enniscorthy.

Ever hear the story of the Carlow senior hurling final that took eight weeks to determine a winner? Urban myth or glorious fact?

“Every game is an All-Ireland” is Kilkenny captain Brian Kennedy’s mantra as he leads the county into this evening’s Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 final against Wexford at Wexford Park (7.30pm).

Wexford dual player Lee Chin was last night leaning towards lining out for the hurlers instead of the footballers on Saturday.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will give debuts to three players in tomorrow’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier clash with Offaly in O’Connor Park in Tullamore (3pm).

Champions Oulart-the-Ballagh remain on course for a fourth title in-a-row when they defeated Shelmaliers (1-19 to 2-11) in their Pettitt’s Wexford SHC semi-final at Wexford Park on Saturday.

Rathnure produced an incredible comeback to defeat St. Anne’s (Rathangan) in a thrilling SHC quarter-final at Wexford Park on Saturday.

Former Wexford hurling kingpins Buffers Alley face a fight against relegation following their 0-16 to 0-11 defeat by Rathnure in the county senior hurling championship at Enniscorthy.

RATHNURE tried hard but were unable to stop Oulart-the-Ballagh completing a three-in-a-row in a dour Wexford SHC final at Wexford Park yesterday.

CHAMPIONS Oulart-the-Ballagh cruised to a comfortable 2-20 to 1-13 victory over neighbours Buffers Alley in a one-sided Wexford SHCsemi-final at Wexford Park yesterday.

CHAMPIONS Oulart-the-Ballagh crushed last year’s defeated finalists St Martin’s 3-21 to 1-8 in a one-sided Wexford senior hurling championship quarter-final played at Wexford Park on Saturday.

BUFFERS ALLEY had 11 points to spare over a disappointing Aksamore/Kilrush outfit in Saturday’s Wexford SHC clash at Wexford Park.

THERE is no rest this week for newly-crowned Kilkenny champions Ballyhale Shamrocks, no time to celebrate their magnificent achievement of four-in-a-row.

CORK hurling legend Willie John Daly last night described the late Wexford great Billy Rackard, who died aged 79 on Monday, as a “colossus”.

Maurice Aylward has kept the faith will the Ballyhale Shamrocks side that saw off Toomevara in the last four for Saturday's crunch AIB All-Ireland Club Hurling Final against Loughrea at Croke Park (throw-in 3.40pm).

The fifth edition of the annual Purple and Gold Star matches, which see the cream of Wexford GAA talent on show, will take place at Wexford Park tomorrow (first throw-in 1pm).

Oulart-The-Ballagh 2-19 Monageer-Boolavogue 0-11

Former captain Paul Codd looks set to miss out on a place in the Wexford team for Sunday's Leinster SHC final against defending champions Kilkenny.

SEAMUS MURPHY knew exactly what to expect when he replaced his Rathnure team-mate John Conran as manager of the Wexford senior hurlers.

Rathnure 3-10 Buffers Alley 2-9

Wexford hurling boss Seamus Murphy has admitted the door is still open for former skipper Paul Codd in light of his side's run of comprehensive league defeats in recent weeks.

MANAGER Pat Roe has given the thumbs up to the starting 15 that shocked Tyrone and brought Wexford to their first National Football League final since 1946 for Sunday’s final showdown with Armagh at Croke Park.

Rathnure's Seamus Murphy has been announced as the new Wexford senior hurling manager. He takes over from club colleague John Conran, who departed due to family and business commitments.

SEAMUS Murphy is favourite to be installed as Wexford senior hurling manager today.

Oulart-The-Ballagh 1-17 Rathnure 1-10

ADRIAN FENLON is not satisfied yet. Capturing the Leinster SHC crown after a seven year wait is a means to an end, just one more step on the road to Croke Park.

THE job complete, John Conran stood in the corridor beneath the Hogan Stand and almost dared anyone to write off this or any other Wexford team again.

MAYO manager John Maughan yesterday admitted he expects rising county star Austin O’Malley to start against New York on Sunday.

O’Loughlin Gaels 0-20 Rathnure 2-11

Wexford champs Rathnure will wait until the 11th hour to rule Paul Codd in or out of Sunday's Leinster club showdown with O'Loughlin Gaels.

Rathnure 2-14, Oulart-the-Ballagh 2-9

THE relief in the Wexford dressingroom was palpable.

Young Irelands 3-11 Rathnure 0-11

Mount Sion (Waterford) 2-12 Mullinahone (Tipperary) 0-15

YOU don't expect to be talking about Kilkenny/Wexford rivalry in mid-November, but the meeting of Young Irelands and Rathnure in the AIB Leinster club hurling championship semi-final in Wexford Park (2.30) tomorrow is guaranteed to arouse passions in both counties.

Wexford will take encouragement from last year's feats in the All-Ireland championship following their heavy provincial final loss to Kilkenny as they look ahead to this evening's hurling championship qualifier with Clare at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Team Captain Daragh Ryan returns following injury for Wexford’s huge Allianz National Hurling League game with arch rivals, Kilkenny, in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, on Sunday next.