SO WEXFORD did possess the required hunger after all. Nobody can deny that the All Ireland champions deserved to win and, if it was a rather strange game in many ways, the other undeniable fact is that hurling was, again, very much the winner.

I had expressed some reservations before the game about Wexford, fearing that they had lost the winning habit and some of their hunger. However, their National League, form didn't really have much bearing and, in fact, Wexford showed that the confidence gained in claiming the Liam McCarthy Cup last year has remained with them.

Indeed, I was surprised that Offaly didn't quite seem as hungry as the champions who, especially early on were the more committed side. Invariably, Offaly players finished second to the ball yesterday.

Yet, Offaly had a chance to salvage the game in the last 20 minutes which, I thought, featured tremendous hurling. However, Offaly's old Achilles heel of not taking their scores was there again and no doubt will haunt them in their dreams.

Offaly did show great fighting spirit in that particular spell of the game hut you don't win matches if you don't put the scores on the board. Quite simply, they had too many wides from scoring opportunities and, despite a great deal of possession in that period of the game, didn't capitalise on it at all.

Wexford, from the start, were convinced they would win. Martin Storey was an inspiring figure for them. He kept them going right, through the game, not only with his scoring (and he did produce some magnificent points) but also in the manner in which he chased and won possession, and the way he used that possession. Kevin Martin really struggled to come to terms with Storey yesterday and that was one important factor in the game.

In a championship match, everything comes down to what happens on the day - and, in that regard Wexford were deserving winners because they made the most of their opportunities and, indeed, had the most prominent players on the pitch.

Apart from Storey, their goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry again had a tremendous game and his late save from Billy Dooley was, indeed, quite magnificent. The Wexford full back line too were very committed in, their challenges and did well in closing down the Offaly forwards.

When Gary Cahill was introduced as a substitute in the first half, he did bring a new dimension to the Offaly attack with some diagonal balls which were the only type to "actually trouble the Wexford backs. However, in the main, the type of ball into the Offaly attack, who physically weren't strong enough to take on the Wexford defence, wasn't suitable. Some of the balls intended for the Offaly forwards played right pinto Wexford hands and, yesterday, they were in no mood to slip up.

Basically, the Offaly forwards, didn't perform and the loss of Joe Dooley was a big blow. Elsewhere, though, Kevin Kinahan had a poor game early on at full back - with Garry Laffan doing immense damage while I thought Brian Whelehan was a little disappointing until late in the game and Johnny Pilkington, although scoring a great goal, only played in fits and starts.

Admittedly, Wexford still have some room for improvement - but the omens look good. Rory McCarthy's introduction indicates that he will have an even bigger part to play in the Leinster final and his speed was very important to Wexford towards the end of the game. I didn't see too much wrong with him when he did make an appearance and, wonder why he wasn't on from the start.

And Wexford still have players, like Billy Byrne who can be introduced to settle a team under pressure, just as he was used so effectively yesterday.

No team is perfect - and Wexford do have one or two weak links, as every team does. As I said earlier, championship is all about performing on the day and, while Wexford had many players who did just that yesterday, some players will know they are capable of a lot more.

Tom Dempsey's free taking seemed to suffer under the stress and pressure of yesterday's game - but, then, that's what makes it all so exciting and it was a tribute to Wexford the way they gritted their teeth, particularly in that final 20 minutes when Offaly, finally, went at them. Wexford really showed what they are made of in that spell of the match.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny will need to improve if they are to beat Wexford. However, I suspect they will be more aware of that than anyone. Dublin put in a truly gritty performance yesterday and, after adjusting to the pace of the game, demonstrated that they are very much a young team who will be a strong force over the next few years.

Yesterday, Dublin played with great heart and enthusiasm and, with Michael O'Grady at the helm, they will get better and better. I have no doubt about that. However, Kilkenny need to improve at a quicker rate for the Leinster final and I'm sure they will. Neither team will need much motivation for that game and I anticipate another special occasion that day and another occasion when hurling will be the winner.