AT the heart of tomorrow's Guinness Leinster hurling championship first round meeting of Wexford and Kilkenny are the issues of confidence and cohesion and not just in the usual way that the two qualities drain away from Wexford when they face their old rivals.

On this occasion, Kilkenny have comparable problems. A year since the devastation wrought on them by Offaly in the Leinster final and the retirement of the late Ollie Walsh, new manager Nicky Brennan has found reconstruction a more exhausting task than many people would have imagined, given the county's recent successes at under age level.

The difficulties of identifying the right talent to groom is compounded by a worrying loss of form on the part of several experienced survivors of the All Ireland victories of 1992 and 93 - Willie O'Connor being the outstanding exception. Despite this, the team made reasonable progress to the League quarter final, but on the day of that double bill in Thurles, the perceptions governing Leinster changed.

Kilkenny's defeat by Laois wasn't exactly earth shattering (Kilkenny had, after all, beaten Laois by only two points in last year's championship) but it confirmed that Brennan's various problems were no nearer solution.

Kilkenny's midfield was uneasy and the lack of physical presence in the attack was much in evidence, as was an unsettling vulnerability in the full back line.

In the other quarter final, Wexford beat Offaly for the first time in a long while in serious knock out competition - and gave them a good trimming into the bargain. Offaly may have found the whole thing an out of body experience, but on such things do developing teams develop their confidence and Wexford were encouraged.

The gloss that veneered the win may have been scuffed a bit by the comprehensive League semifinal defeat by Galway, but Wexford manager Liam Griffin was happy to report that they had learned a good amount from the outing (besides the quickest way to Limerick).

This education was enhanced by a couple of injuries which have helped give the team a more familiar look for tomorrow. In the main, these alterations would probably have to have been made anyway.

Ger Cush always looked a questionable choice at centre back for the purposes of summer hurling and he should be more comfortable in his reversion to full back, brought about by John O Connor's injury. By extension, the halfback line takes on a more reliable look.

Liam Dunne pivots the defence and Larry O'Gorman returns to left wing back. O'Gorman's recall is brought about partly by O'Connor's move, but also by the recognition that Damien Fitzhenry is needed in goal rather than outfield.

Midfield has potential, but Adrian Fenlon has been erratic this year and Rory McCarthy is fairly raw at this level. In their favour is that Kilkenny aren't much better equipped. Canice Brennan is solid but it's surprising to see him as the senior partner with Aidan Lawlor coming in for his debut as a surprise choice ahead of Bill Hennessy.

Wexford have more problems up front with injury forcing Tom Dempsey out. His absence, taken in tandem with the dropping of Tom Kehoe, leaves the team a bit short in the placed ball department and presumably drops that particular responsibility into the lap of Martin Storey.

One of the happiest features of Wexford's game against Offaly was the facility with which the Wexford forwards slung over points in the second half. The problem, though, is that sticking scores on a beaten team is invariably easier than doing it in a tight championship match.

A good start seems essential for Wexford. The fervour with which they buckled into Kilkenny in the 1993 Leinster final helped force the pace and create an environment in which they could be confident - and still the old doubts froze them on the verge of victory. A poor start, and it's not hard to see Wexford deflate a little.

They have few championship debutants, but they're not that experienced either - which is the worst of both worlds, neither the uninhibited confidence of the newcomer, nor the cuteness of the more seasoned player.

Kilkenny look better equipped with mental equilibrium but that's not to say they can survive anything Wexford come up with. Nicky Brennan says the team he picked is based primarily on good current form.

Kilkenny admit that they are ripe for a beating. The law of averages owes Wexford a fortune and the first round always sees Kilkenny at more sedentary pace. Despite all this, and DJ Carey's injury concerns, Kilkenny's self knowledge is taken to indemnify - them against even a good Wexford performance.