Stamp and Roche in for Wexford

Wexford have received a timely boost ahead of Sunday's Allianz NHL Division 2 final against Clare (Semple Stadium, throw-in 5pm), with Darren Stamp and Paul Roche returning from injury to take places on the starting line-up.

Roche slots in at right corner back, with Stamp named at centre-back and Ciaran Kenny moving to the left corner.

Harry Kehoe partners Colm Farrell at midfield, with Cloughbawn clubman Noel Carton retaining his place between the posts.

Wexford and Clare drew when the teams met earlier in the league phase.

With just one team making the leap to Division 1 next year, Wexford manager Colm Bonnar is thankful that his side have put themselves in a position to gain promotion after a rocky league campaign.

"We knew at the start of the year that we had to put enough points together to qualify for a Division 2 league final," he said.

"We always felt that we had enough ability to get there. We did have a hiccup or two along the way. Obviously the loss to Carlow, at a particular stage in our preparation in terms of the strength and conditioning work.

"Our hurling had been poor for the first couple of league games, but we did enough in terms of pulling through and picking off a few league points.

"When the league fixtures came out, we knew the Antrim and Laois games were going to be two must-win games for us.

"We have come into the final with a bit of momentum, after high pressure games against Laois and Antrim. As a result of that, our standard of hurling has come on considerably."

Diarmuid Lyng will captain the Model men for the league decider, with the Wexford captain for the fast-approaching Championship to be announced after Sunday's game.

WEXFORD (NHL v Clare): Noel Carton; Paul Roche, Keith Rossiter, Ciarán Kenny; Richie Kehoe, Darren Stamp, Malachy Travers; Harry Kehoe, Colm Farrell; Andrew Shore, Eoin Quigley, Diarmuid Lyng (capt); Rory Jacob, Stephen Banville, Peter Atkinson.