Last year's feats to spur Wexford

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.

They will look back on last year's defeat of Limerick and their fabulous semi-final draw with eventual All-Ireland champions Tipperary as the motivating force in their clash with the Munster giants.

And Wexford, after their two-point Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny just six days back, are decidedly upbeat, despite the injury crisis which has hit the camp.

They still believe a victory is not beyond them, despite the fact they will be without the suspended Liam Dunne, while Adrian Fenlon is unlikely to start.

Fenlon, according to team manager Tony Dempsey, is unlikely to take his place at centre forward. Although the Rapparees clubman took part in Thursday evening's training session, he has been told he will be out of competitive hurling for up to four weeks with a hamstring tear that forced his late withdrawal from the provincial final loss to Kilkenny.

In the past few weeks, the Wexford first aid room has turned into somewhat of an emergency ward, given the injuries which have beset the side.

Dempsey received a further scare on Thursday evening when wing-back Darren Stamp went over on an ankle.

However, Dempsey was positive about the Oulart player, stating that he should be fit to take his place, while Larry Murphy and team captain Larry O'Gorman will also be available for selection. But it seems likely that Dempsey will gamble on some of his reserves.

Rathnure's Michael O'Leary and St Martin's Ken Furlong are in the running for Dunne's vacant left half-back position, while Nicky Lambert, introduced as a substitute against Kilkenny, could get the nod for the No. 14 jersey.

Despite the Kilkenny defeat, Dempsey was optimistic.

"I do not want to talk too much about the Kilkenny game. It's not a time for looking over one's shoulder," he said.

"Many felt that the 1996 All-Ireland final should have been a Wexford-Clare clash. Clare are up there amongst the best sides in the country and like ourselves, are not that far away, which makes for an intriguing clash. I still believe we will be up for the game. We have to be positive or otherwise our year could be over."

Clare's Cyril Lyons, unlike Dempsey, has been in the happy position of been able to name a full-strength side. Lyons has gone with the team which defeated Dublin, with Jamesie O'Connor, who has yet to hit top form, handed his usual right half-forward role.

There is no recall for Ollie Baker, with John Reddan holding down the midfield position as partner to Colin Lynch, while Tony Griffin, so impressive in this year's championship campaign, continues at centre forward.

Clare, however, will be a difficult prospect. They have been sitting and waiting for the Leinster losers and will not be carrying the knocks and wounds of a big game played just seven days ago into such a huge championship clash.