Wexford v Kildare, Today, throw-in – 7pm Dr Cullen Park, Carlow Live on RTÉ 2
LAST SUMMER’S All-Ireland football championship provided redemption for both teams and their fledgling managers Jason Ryan and Kieran McGeeney.
Kildare, with McGeeney and his trusty side-kick Paul Grimley struggling to introduce an Armagh approach in the midlands, were defeated by Wicklow before a compromise of sorts was reached between the players and the management.
The hybrid style sparked a revival that ended in a respectable appearance at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage.
Wexford went one better, recovering from a ruthless 23-point defeat to Dublin in the Leinster final to beat Armagh, thanks to a dramatic Matty Forde goal, before Tyrone cantered past them on the penultimate rung of the ladder.
Kildare have moved on with Dermot Earley playing an inspirational role in seeing off Offaly in the opening round of the Leinster championship after a decent showing in the league.
Wexford have self-combusted, their attack decimated by the loss of Forde to chronic back problems and Redmond Barry taking an extended trip abroad.
McGeeney felt the need to tinker ever so slightly, with Andrew McLoughlin coming in at corner back in place of Declan Brennan, but the loss of Mikey Conway was not planned – a knee injury gives Morgan O’Flaherty an opportunity at wing back.
Wexford welcome Barry back to lead the attack and they will look to Ciarán Lyng more than ever now to bring up some terrible scoring averages of late.
Kildare still have Johnny Doyle, but Wexford are without their great hero and saviour in the modern era. It should tell.
KILDARE:T Corley; H McGrillen, M Foley, A McLoughlin; Morgan O'Flaherty, B Flanagan, E Bolton; D Flynn, D Earley; R Sweeney, P O'Neill, J Kavanagh; A Smith, E Callaghan, J Doyle.
WEXFORD:A Masterson; B Malone, P Wallace, G Molloy; C Morris, D Murphy, A Doyle; B Doyle, E Bradley; A Morrissey, R Barry, C Byrne; C. Lyng, S Cullen, PJ Banville.
Referee:C Reilly (Meath).
In the last episode:Kildare crushed this evening's opponents 2-16 to 0-8 during the NFL Division Two encounter a few months back. Wexford were eventually relegated while Kildare finished third.
You bet:Kildare are 2/7 with Wexford 10/3. The handicap has Kildare as four-point favourites.
On your marks:Dermot Earley sparkled as Kildare shook off the cobwebs with a 1-16 to 1-10 defeat of Offaly last month. Wexford have presumably buried their league campaign, an experience that Redmond Barry was spared. They will hope he can inspire the attack in the absence of Matty Forde.
Gaining ground:Dr Cullen Park is an old but attractive stadium on the edge of Carlow town.
Just the ticket:Stand tickets are €20, or save a fiver and take up a perch on the terrace. Kildare will bring numbers, but access shouldn't be a problem.
Crystal gazing:Kildare arrive with a solid league campaign and an early victory over Offaly, with Wexford hoping to rediscover last summers hot streak. Should be close, but Kildare's to lose.
