LEINSTER SFC QUARTER-FINALS/Dublin v Wexford:DUBLIN TAKE to the championship with five debutants and a couple of others with very little experience. The defence bulwarked what was the county's best league run in 11 years with victories over everyone except Cork and Galway.
Championship is however a different experience but there is quality in the defensive spine with Rory O’Carroll, star of the under-21 All-Ireland win, at full back and his club mate Cian O’Sullivan in front of him.
The defensive configuration depends on bodies getting back and it’s a demanding game plan, requiring players available to take the pass on forward breaks as well as support runners off centrefield.
It will need to work as planned because Wexford have class up front. Matty Forde is back in the Leinster championship for the first time in two years.
The pressure on Wexford will come at the back where they crumbled in the final two years ago. Joey Wadding had a good league at corner back but so did Dublin’s Kevin McManamon.
Presumably Jason Ryan will have a plan for crowding Bernard Brogan who was devastating during the league.
Another league graduate, Eamonn Fennell, starts at centrefield for Dublin. Alan Brogan is on the Dublin bench and is expected to see some action.
Wexford at their best will be competitive and trouble Dublin but anything else will allow the champions breathe more easily.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, Rory O’Carroll, P McMahon; D Bastick, C O’Sullivan, B Cahill; E Fennell, R McConnell; N Corkery, D Henry, P Flynn; C Keaney, B Brogan, K McManamon.
WEXFORD: A Masterson; J Wadding, G Molloy, B Malone; C Morris, D Murphy, A Doyle; D Waters, E Bradley; S Roche, R Barry, A Flynn; C Lyng, PJ Banville, M Forde.
Referee: Martin Higgins (Fermanagh).
In the last episode: Two years ago Dublin gave Wexford, in their first provincial final since 1956, a 23-point trimming although it was Wexford who made their way to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
You bet: Dublin 1 to 8, Wexford 13 to 2 and 12 to 1 the draw.
On your marks: Dublin's new defence and defensive alignment were a feature of the league. Tomorrow what is effectively a rookie full-back line takes on Wexford's best unit. If Ciarán Lyng, PJ Banville and Matty Forde click it'll be an uneasy first barricade for the champions.
Gaining ground: Dublin haven't been beaten in the Leinster championship since losing to Westmeath six years ago. Outside the province, however, the Leinster champions have won only two championship matches in that time.
Just the ticket: Stand tickets (€25 – no concessions in Hogan), Family tickets for the Cusack and Davin stands (adults €25 and children €5). Terrace (€15 – no concessions). Students and OAPs can get €10 rebate.
Crystal gazing: Dublin with a bit to spare in the end.
