Derby to set pulses racing

FOR neighbouring counties, it’s noteworthy that Waterford and Wexford have no real tradition of meetings in major hurling games, either at under age or adult level.

That situation will change in Nowlan Park this evening when they clash in the third round of the Guinness qualifier competition, with the winners advancing to an All-Ireland quarter-final game against Tipperary, Antrim or Offaly in a week's time in Croke Park.

The last played in the League at the start of last year, when Waterford won 3-13 to 0-13 in Gorey. However, they haven't met in a meaningful game for all of 25 years ago, in the 1977-'78 League quarter-final. Interestingly, that game was played in Nowlan Park, where Wexford won by a four points margin with a team that included Rory Kinsella, who managed the team for two seasons after Liam Griffin. Full-back on the Waterford team that day was Nicky Cashin, now best known as a coach with Kilkenny minors and St. Kieran's College.