Wexford look to be on a hiding to nothing

THERE are several different scenarios envisaged for tomorrow’s Guinness Leinster SHC final in Croke Park (3.30pm), the least appealing being a totally one-sided affair.

With Kilkenny heavily committed to proving a point after last season's unexpected defeat in the semi-final, Wexford know only too well what to expect. And, they may even appreciate the possibly that the best they can hope for, is respectability of the sort gained by Tipperary through their spirited second-half recovery in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Sunday.

Of course, all this presupposes that Kilkenny are going to reach the high standard which overpowered Offaly in the semi-final. And, that Wexford will not be able to rise to the challenge as they did last year. Nothing is guaranteed, but at the same time it's not as if these are major imponderables.