WATERFORD feel a bit hard done by that their rousing display against Galway in the penultimate round of Division One of the National Hurling League nevertheless saw them suffer a two point defeat and relegation.
Their sights are now firmly focused on an opening round Munster Championship clash with Tipperary, "the best team in the country at present", according to Tony Mansfield. Before that, however, they face a final league match on Sunday against Offaly.
The Waterford manager is happier now than he was before Christmas, when club fixtures got in the way of his best efforts to mould a settled team. A win over Offaly will be pursued with the same competitive spirit as that which marked the performance against Galway.
The pressure is on Offaly. We are going out to win and will strive to avoid a repeat of the errors we made against Galway," said Mansfield.
The Waterford players will be in no mood for sentiment, even though defeat would also mean relegation for Offaly. Waterford went up to Birr last year minus key players who were club championship tied and Offaly, as All Ireland champions, remorselessly utilised their advantages for a 3-15 to 1-5 win. A win on Sunday would be a great pre championship tonic.
Stephen Frampton returns to the defence following a leg operation. He takes over from the injured Ger Harris in the right corner, in front of promoted goalkeeper Ray Whitty, who is given a chance as Ray Barry is rested.
The inclusion of sound centre back and captain Fergal Hartley, officially installed as the Waterford Player of the Year, will be met with warm approval. Hartley went over on a ankle in the fourth minute of the Galway match and had to retire. Peter Queally, who dropped back from wing forward, is again accommodated with a defensive position, this time at left wing back. Tom Feeney loses out.
Billy O'Sullivan moves out to right wing forward from the corner and Michael Hickey moves inside.
Offaly make two changes in their side from the team that beat Kerry. Joe Errity and Johnny Dooley come into the attack instead of the injured Brendan Kelly and John Troy.
Wexford's team manager, Liam Griffin, is happy his team's destiny depends entirely on what they achieve against Meath in Trim on Sunday and not on other results.
He has just cause to be wary of the Meath challenge given that they were beaten by them in Enniscorthy last year. "At the time I couldn't believe it, but we now have full respect for them (Meath). They also beat Offaly last year and we will be leaving nothing to chance. The match is very important to us. We desperately want to get back to Division One after two years."
Defeat for Wexford (on 10 points) could land them in dreaded play offs. This would certainly be the case should Laois (10 points) also be beaten by Antrim (eight points) in Casement Park and Limerick (eight), as would be expected, take the points at home. That would force a four way play off.
The Meath selectors were faced with a number of injury problems last night and had to improvise when picking their team.
. Anthony Tohill, Derry's four time All Star, should be fit for the National Football League quarter final against Cavan on Sunday week.
. By 38 votes to two the Tipperary GAA Board has backed the proposal of the National Hurling Development Committee to allow beaten minor and senior provincial finalists back into the All Ireland championship. The Board also backed the proposal to allow Galway compete in Munster at under 21 level and the Ulster representatives to compete in the Leinster championship.
