SHARP BLACK suit . . . Rock star hairstyle . . . Surrounded by a horde of pressmen . . . Cameras flashing and television crews on standby . . . No wonder Stephen Banville was attracting such curiosity from anyone passing by the Westbury Hotel in Dublin yesterday.
He wasn't the most immediately athletic looking and seemed a little uncomfortable with all the attention. If anyone were to hazard a guess, they'd probably think he's the front man with some garage band that just signed a big record deal - but few would have guessed he's the front man in the Wexford hurling team.
The Dublin hurlers, however, know all about Banville - he's the man they'll need to guard most closely in Sunday's Leinster semi-final in Nowlan Park. Banville hit 2-2 in Wexford's first round win over Offaly on May 31st - which brought him to Dublin yesterday to collect his Vodafone Player of the Month award.
Given the location, he naturally talked up Dublin's chances, but the truth is Wexford - for a change - will start as marginal underdogs.
"I'd say a lot of people around the country would think Dublin have gone a step above us at this stage," he said. "They're a young team, lots of pace, and for them it's probably their landmark game.
"One they have to get over. I know they'll be confident, and still see losing to us last year as a disappointment.
"David O'Callaghan is in great form at the moment. And Anthony Daly has given them the belief. So Dublin will be a huge test, a very tricky game. We've beaten them two years running, but they probably have the upper hand now, having played in Division One.
"They also had a big win against our under-21s last week. That should show where Dublin are in underage at the moment."
Wexford do have that edge from recent championship meetings, but last year's drawn game - where Banville also scored a goal - was almost unanimously viewed as one Dublin left behind. Wexford won the replay 2-15 to 1-15 - with Banville once again finding the net, this time at Croke Park.
What Dublin do have in their favour is a season in Division One of the league. Wexford also missed out on promotion last month when they lost the Division Two final to Offaly, so reversing that result in Wexford Park in the quarter-final was particularly important.
"That was hugely important to us," admitted Banville.
"We were terribly disappointed after that, and how we played. You can lose a game and still feel honourable enough. But when you don't play 100 per cent it's very annoying. For the younger players coming through it is very important that we're playing in Division One, and hopefully we can rectify that next year.
"So I think it was a good sign of our character to come back and take it on ourselves to beat Offaly the next day. I'm sure Offaly will feel they let themselves down on the day. But the Wexford crowd really got behind us when we went ahead."
Still only 24, and having first made his name when helping his club Shelmaliers win the intermediate All-Ireland title, Banville brings obvious size and strength to the full forward position - not that he's limited to that.
"Full forward has always been my favourite and I'd rather stay there. They've tried me at half forward the few times, just to switch things around. I'll play anywhere they want me but I think I do most damage at full forward.
"We are still trying to find a good system of play. Not leaving our defence exposed. Playing direct ball to our full forward line. I think a lot of teams are trying to do that. It's a little bit defence- minded, but also trying to open up play for forwards."
He also says manager Colm Bonnar has brought an extra dimension to Wexford's preparations. "He's very, very organised. Very open, easy to talk to and leaves nothing to chance. He has a huge backroom team as well, and that's been very beneficial."
