Codd slips out of Wexford set-up

Wexford head into the new National Hurling League campaign, starting on Sunday, without last year's captain Paul Codd. Although new team manager Joachim Kelly has made a number of approaches to the Rathnure forward requesting him to return to the county squad, the advances have been spurned so far.

"I've been in contact with him a few times," admitted Kelly, "and he may come back. If he comes, he comes. But I won't be contacting him again." Codd hasn't played any hurling since his club's defeat in last year's county final. Added work commitments have been cited as the reason for his self-imposed exile from the game, and he didn't feature in any of the winter South-East League or Walsh Cup matches.

At this stage, Kelly appears pessimistic about the chances of enticing Codd back into the fold - but he remains adamant the decision is in the player's hands.

For Sunday's opening league match against Laois, Kelly will be without midfielder Adrian Fenlon who, ironically, misses the match because of work commitments. Rod Guiney and Robert Hassey form the midfield partnership, while half forwards Jason Lawlor, the county footballer, and Justin Kenny each make their league debuts.

Wexford had a weird couple of days on the playing pitch last weekend, first beating Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup final on Saturday and then being destroyed by Tipperary in the South-East League final the next day.

"The defeat to Tipperary was embarrassing," said Kelly. "There was no heart, no commitment, no pride, no passion."

Meanwhile, Johnny Brenner will pull on the Waterford jersey in a league game for the first time in two years for Sunday's long haul trip to Derry. Brenner opted out of the squad two years ago and then spent a year in Australia, but he has been inveigled back and resumes his career in the middle of the field, where he will partner Peter Queally.

James Murray from Callow and Passage's Barry Walsh make their league debuts at half back and half forward respectively. Paul Flynn is this year's captain.

With 19 squad members involved in either yesterday's Fitzgibbon Cup matches or Saturday's club semi-final replay involving St Joseph's Doora-Barefield and Cushendall, the Clare management have decided to delay their team selection until today. Kilkenny will field a much changed team and will have just seven of their All-Ireland side in action against Cork.

There will be five newcomers in defence. All-star Peter Barry is the only member of the All-Ireland side among the backs.

Noel Hickey and Rory Moore will make their league debut in defence, while Kevin Power and John Phelan the newcomers in the attack. DJ Carey has been picked at full forward, a position he filled in two recent games.