McCaffrey to miss out for Dublin hurlers

John McCaffrey is a serious injury doubt for Dublin's Leinster SHC semi-final clash with Wexford at Nowlan Park on Saturday evening (throw-in 7pm).

The young midfielder, who captained the Dubs to Leinster minor success in 2005, has been battling an ongoing groin injury.

The injury flared up after his participation in the Dublin Under-21s' championship win over Kildare last Wednesday, and has severely limited his chances of lining out for the seniors.

Wing back Derek O'Reilly is also unlikely to see much action against Wexford, given his trouble with a hamstring injury.

Both McCaffrey and O'Reilly played in the Dubs' recent 3-17 to 2-9 challenge match defeat to Limerick, and without their services Tommy Naughton's side will have to dig deep.

The Metropolitans, seeking to win through to the Leinster SHC final for the first time since 1991, are already without defender-cum-midfielder Willie Lowry (broken leg) and impressive attacker Kevin O'Reilly (cruciate knee ligament).

O'Reilly, who was Dublin's top scorer in the league, frustratingly injured his knee in the final NHL game against Tipperary.

He was a key man as Naughton's charges beat Galway and Limerick and drew with Kilkenny in Division 1B.

Dublin's last win in the Leinster championship was back in 2004 when they accounted for Westmeath at the quarter-final stage.

They last met Wexford in SHC fare in 2002 when the Model men claimed a 3-15 to 2-12 Leinster semi-final victory.