WEXFORD hurling has gone back to basics with former All-Ireland-winning manager Liam Griffin set to take over the county’s minors.

Dublin 1-18 Wexford 0-11

DUBLIN will be straining to retain their Leinster U21 title in tonight’s Wexford Park decider but their hosts will be motivated by a desire to restore pride as much as thoughts of rare silverware.

Diarmuid Connolly's young brother Thomas will start for Dublin in tomorrow's Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U-21 Hurling Championship final at Wexford Park (throw-in 7.30pm).

FOUR days after one of the county’s darkest hurling performances, the Laois U21’s bid to restore some faith in the county when they face Wexford in tonight’s Bord Gáis Energy Leinster hurling championship semi-final.

WEXFORD boss Tony Dempsey has named ten of last year’s starting U21 team for tomorrow night’s Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21HC tie against Kilkenny at Wexford Park.

ONE of her little brothers came forward with a Cork football jersey; another with a Harry Potter book — representing just some of the passions of Alicia Brough, a young woman who loved life.

THE Monaghan county board management committee met last night in Truagh to consider demands made by Seamus McEnaney which will play a crucial role in determining whether he will remain in charge of the county’s senior footballers for a seventh year.

RORY O’CARROLL has been ruled out of the Dublin side for tomorrow night’s Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21HC final against Wexford due to his involvement with the Dublin senior footballers in next Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier against Armagh.

KILKENNY U21 boss Michael Walsh is expecting a stern examination of his side’s credentials when they face off in a repeat of last year’s decider against Dublin in tonight’s Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21HC semi-final in Nowlan Park at 7.30pm.

TYRONE attacker Stephen O’Neill is in no danger of missing the Ulster final on July 18, despite limping off with a foot injury after just 11 minutes of last Saturday’s semi-final against Down.

WEXFORD hurler Greg Jacob has become an internet phenomenon, being hailed as a legend for his off-field antics.

GREG JACOB, the Wexford hurler who starred in an x-rated movie with porn star Tanya Tate on her ‘Erotic Tour of Ireland’ has been named at centre-back for tonight’s Leinster IHC clash with champions Kilkenny.

FÁS has missed the opportunity to make a fresh start, according to Fine Gael, which claimed the new board of the troubled state training agency is “dominated by insiders”.

The Government today appointed a new slimmed-down FÁS board of directors promising a root and branch overhaul of the scandal-hit state-training body.

WEXFORD goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry will decide this week if he is to commit to an 18th season of inter-county hurling.

Wembley Stadium officials today responded to renewed scrutiny over the state of their pitch by insisting they “always endeavour” to provide the best possible playing surface.

The Rugby Union Players’ Association in Australia has launched a health and safety investigation after two Australian props were injured when a scrum collapsed in last week’s game against the Barbarians at Wembley.

THE only female election candidate in Wexford has called the editor of a local newspaper a “chauvinistic pig” on a radio station because of an article she claims is sexist.

Fianna Fáil has chosen the last of its candidates to contest the forthcoming General Election.

BACKBENCH TDs and senators spent €500,000 last year on foreign travel, including a number of fact-finding trips to exotic long-haul destinations.

AUSTRALIA’S top players may be given a role in choosing who replaces Eddie Jones as Wallabies coach but a decision is not expected until next year.

A former Government junior minister who last year circulated bogus election letters from the Taoiseach, aims to run for Fianna Fáil in the next general election.

The diocese of Ferns is expected to emerge today as one of the worst in the world for clerical child abuse.

Fianna Fáil TD Tony Dempsey denied today that he was retiring from politics because he feared losing his seat at the next general election.

NIALL GILLIGAN is first to admit that the jury is still out on this Clare side, despite their qualifier win against Waterford two weeks ago.

Former Wexford defender Ger Cushe has been linked with the vacant hurling manager's post in the county.

THE former Minister for Justice Seán Doherty made an interesting comment during a recent interview on RTÉ.

DAMIEN FITZHENRY, who saved Wexford from humiliation in Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final, has reiterated that the six-week lay-off was not a factor in their defeat by Cork.

THE Government last night insisted Fianna Fáil councillor Lorcan Allen, who sent letters to more than 2,000 constituents with the forged signature of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, has not been “let off the hook”.

TWO years ago Charlie McCreevy challenged the GPA to indulge in some lateral thinking if they ever hoped to see inter-county GAA players benefit from tax exemptions for sports people and yesterday Dessie Farrell and his association answered him in spades.

IF the Government lives up to its school building promise, more than 200 pupils at one of the south-east’s largest primary schools will be able to look out windows for the first time.

THE bitter feud between Australia’s players and their governing body over World Cup contracts ended peacefully yesterday.

CHILDREN being taught in a warehouse with no windows and no playground are getting used to broken promises.

SOME of rugby’s biggest names are growing increasingly concerned about signing the players’ agreements for this year’s World Cup, a leading players’ representative claimed yesterday.

AUSTRALIA’S players have announced they may consider boycotting the Rug

THE International Rugby Board (IRB) could face a revolt by players over its refusal to share some of the profits from this year’s World Cup, a leading players’ representative has warned.

WEXFORD hurling boss John Conray is adamant that the dual player issue will not be a source of conflict in the Model County this new season.

Former Wexford boss Tony Dempsey has called on the GAA to pay referees.

UNEMPLOYMENT in Wexford is running at almost 16%.

THE chairman of Tyrone County Board has issued an impassioned public apology to Eugene McKenna and his family for the hurt and anxiety they have suffered as a result of the controversy over the county management saga.