Leinster SFC: First round - Dublin v Wexford, Croke Park, 4.00

Although it's hardly controversial to place Wexford as the weakest of the teams remaining in the Leinster championship, the preliminary…

Although it's hardly controversial to place Wexford as the weakest of the teams remaining in the Leinster championship, the preliminary pool winners come into this match with two reasonable advantages. Their exploits in winning through to this stage will have done much for morale and eases the pressure they would have felt going into a match like this in the past. Secondly, Dublin are suffering from a litany of injuries, not all confined to those who didn't make the team. Brian Stynes has had little match practice and Ciaran Whelan is still struggling with an ankle injury. The absence of Dessie Farrell and Colin Moran weakens the attack but Tom Carr will try and avoid using any players who might seriously aggravate injuries. Most attention will focus on the defence because Wexford's potential is tilted towards its attack. John Hegarty, Jason Lawlor and the returned Scott Doran are recognised forwards and Leigh O'Brien's transition from defence has also been successful. As a unit they should give a makeshift Dublin defence some difficult moments but overall the gap between the sides doesn't look bridgeable despite Wexford's good form and Dublin's misfortunes.