LIMERICK have left virtually unchanged the team that defeated Antrim 1-17 to 0-13 in the semi final for Sunday's Guinness All Ireland hurling final against Wexford. In the only deviation from the last day's line out, Frankie Carroll and Barry Foley swap wings in the attack.

Despite the unimpressive nature of the win and the severe words that manager Tom Ryan administered to his forwards in the aftermath, the selection is not unexpected.

There had been injury concerns over goalkeeper Joe Quaid and wing forward Carroll, but these had obviously cleared up in time for last night's selection.

Defence and midfield picks itself and is unchanged for the sixth match running - a sequence that takes in every one of Limerick's championship matches this season. For all the question marks that habitually hover over the full back line, the team has conceded only two goals during the campaign to date.

There have been a number of impressive performances here, none more eye catching than Mark Foley, who is enjoying a splendid debut championship at wing back after making his early career as a forward. Beside him, at centre half back, captain Ciaran Carey's play has been in the often used but always appropriate description - inspirational, although his dynamic force is sometimes needed at midfield in which case Mike Houlihan has proved a solid stand in, pivoting the defence.

Attack, however, has been a problem for the team all summer and has been through several changes, but the feeling is obviously that the line out against Ant rim is the one that has the best chance of cutting it against Wexford.

Three of the forward personnel, who started the season with a thumping 16 point win over Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh have since fallen by the wayside, although all three, Padraig Tobin, Shane O'Neill and Mike Galligan are named on the bench. At least one or two of them are expected to make an appearance at some stage.

Since Tobin, who scored two goals against Cork but struggled thereafter, has been off the starting team, Damien Quigley has played full forward, and whereas he has yet to strike top form, Wexford will remember that in the All Ireland final of two years ago, he scored 2-3 against Offaly.

Young Barry Foley retains his place haying started for the first time against Antrim - reward for impressive appearances as a substitute, particularly against Clare, when his two points were crucial in winning the match.

The omission of Galligan will probably be the most talked about element of the selection. Having had quiet enough outings against Cork and Clare, he was dropped for the drawn Munster final.

Having been brought on at half time and identified with the team's sensational comeback from a 10 point deficit, he started the replays only to be dropped once more for, the All Ireland semi final earlier this month. On Sunday he will, in all likelihood, be Limerick's first introduction from the bench.

Wexford may not name their team until tomorrow because of the continuing doubts over the fitness of Sean Flood.