O'Brien to make Model return

Horeswood half-back Leigh O'Brien will end his 18-month absence from inter-county football when Wexford entertain Wicklow in the first round of the O'Byrne Cup on Thursday night.

O'Brien has been given the nod by new Wexford boss Paul Bealin to resume his career with the Model men after opting out last year. He last appeared in purple and gold against Derry in an All-Ireland SFC qualifier in July 2004.

Garry O'Grady also returns at corner forward after a troubling groin injury forced him onto the sidelines for last season.

Bealin's side is minus a number of last season's frontliners - Matty Forde, Diarmuid Kinsella, Shane Cullen and Nicky Lambert are all carrying injuries, while Redmond Barry and Rory Stafford are away on holiday.

Interestingly, former colleges star Richie Purcell has made the bench for the tie, which will be played at Cransford outside Gorey. Purcell has not played for Wexford since 1997 and was most recently living and working in New York.

WEXFORD (v Wicklow): A Masterson; C Morris, R Mageean, N Murphy; P Curtis, L O'Brien, D Murphy; B Doyle, P Colfer; C Deely, D Fogarty, G Sunderland; G O'Grady, J Hudson, PJ Banville.