Dubs select four first-timers

Dublin will line out with four championship debutants in their team when they tussle with Wexford in Saturday night's Leinster SHC semi-final at Nowlan Park (throw-in 7pm).

Dubs boss Tommy Naughton, whose selection options were limited by injuries, has plumped for a fresh-looking line-up with championship newcomers Declan Qualter and Joey Boland positioned at midfield, and centre forward Ross O'Carroll and full-forward Padraig O'Driscoll also set for their first SHC starts.

It will be O'Driscoll's full championship debut - the Lucan attacker was sprung from the bench for last summer's All-Ireland qualifiers against Limerick and Clare.

While young midfielder John McCaffrey was not considered due to an ongoing groin injury, Derek O'Reilly, the impressive Craobh Chiarain defender, has recovered sufficiently from a hamstring injury to be named at left half-back.

In a further boost, Ballyboden's Stephen Hiney will return to championship action this weekend after being sidelined for last year's campaign due to eye surgery and travel commitments.

Naughton's side included three of Dublin's 2005 Leinster minor-winning team - Boland, O'Carroll and Tomas Brady - and nine of the starting fifteen that played in Dublin's last SHC tie, including team captain Philip Brennan.

Saturday's clash is Dublin's first Leinster championship encounter with Wexford since 2002.

The Metropolitans are gunning for their first win in the provincial competition since they beat Westmeath at the quarter-final stage in 2004.

DUBLIN (SHC v Wexford) - G Maguire; P Brennan (capt), S Hiney, T Brady; M Carton, R Fallon, D O'Reilly; D Qualter, J Boland; L Ryan, R O'Carroll, D Curtin; J Kelly, P O'Driscoll, K Flynn.