Of all the wistful memories of last summer, those belonging to Wexford were probably the most easily forgotten. Having marshalled their casualty-hit resources to good effect, the then reigning Leinster champions were sent tumbling from the provincial semi-final by Johnny Dooley's late goal for Offaly which ended the match as surely as the referee's whistle which immediately followed.

Had someone been told 18 months ago that two Leinster teams would contest the 1998 All-Ireland final, they would have thought it long-odds that Wexford wouldn't have been one of them. But, undermined by injuries, the team was poignantly unable to take the Leinster title in the one year they would have wanted to - the bi-centenary of the 1798 rebellion. Their semi-final conquerors, Offaly, went on to have an eventful summer culminating in winning the All-Ireland.

Facing into another year, manager Rory Kinsella is characteristically upbeat. The county have won - albeit by default - a fifth successive Walsh Cup and the performances of younger players since the All-Ireland success of three years ago have created great competition for places.

There have been setbacks, including an unexpected openingday Church & General League defeat by Laois (the first such victory in 14 years for the midlanders) and last Wednesday's disappointing showing by county champions Rathnure in the All-Ireland club final, but for Kinsella the year is full of opportunities as he faces a trip to Thurles tomorrow for the third league fixture.

"We really want to do well in the league. People say `no, you don't, look at the teams who win it - they all get knocked out in the first round' but I don't agree. This team is experienced enough and has been around for long enough to be able to cope with winning it."

Tipperary have undergone a number of changes since dismantling Wexford's below-par challenge in the All-Ireland semi-final of two years ago. New manager Nicholas English has decided to bring in new players and has enjoyed a successful run in the preseason competitions. Kinsella doesn't believe that the 1997 defeat has left any lingering damage to the team.

"I don't think it's important. Tipp have changed significantly and we had a measure of satisfaction last year beating them in Enniscorthy. But they have found a lot of new players and have a depth of quality forwards."

Wexford's own depth of talent is one of Kinsella's main sources of optimism - particularly in defence. Tomorrow's unit has played well, with Darragh Ryan at centre back doing exceptionally well. Yet there are a number of well-established players still to re-enter orbit.

Liam Dunne is on the verge of a comeback after 14 months recuperating from an horrendously broken leg. Rod and Dave Guiney are taking a breather after Rathnure's club campaign and the brothers' defiant showings in the final. Larry O'Gorman, the GAA Writers' Player of the Year in 1996, is also in the wings.

Elsewhere, Ryan Quigley's display since linking up with clubmate Adrian Fenlon at centrefield have also been encouraging, whereas in attack, Gary Laffan - another All-Ireland medallist returning from long-term injury - has already played as a substitute in the league.

"There is huge competition for places, which is great. We're focusing on 10 weeks' time (the championship opener against Dublin) and the way we're going, we'll be able to pick a strong team based on whoever's in form." Given his ambition to win the league title which Wexford haven't seen since 1973, losing to Laois must have represented a setback. "Yes. We were disappointed and it put us under huge pressure against Waterford, but all the results went right for us that day and everyone's on two points so it's back to square one."

The wind was a big factor in the Laois game, Kinsella says, and a second-half combination of long-range frees from Niall Rigney and a goal from a 90-yard PJ Peacock free which bounced into the goal sank Wexford. "But there was a big improvement against Waterford." he says. "We were far more competitive."

There is a strong sense that some of the team's elders - Martin Storey, Cushe, Tom Dempsey - can't keep going for ever. Kinsella knows as much but feels that despite missing out on another All-Ireland since succeeding Liam Griffin, times haven't been bad.

"The team's at the crossroads. We know that. A few of them can't continue forever, they can't give the commitment. Tom Dempsey's in his 14th year hurling with the county. I wouldn't be surprised if several opt out after this year. If things go well, we could be in contention until the end. We were unlucky last year, won Leinster the year before and an All-Ireland before that. They've been three really good years."