Impressive Wexford likely to prove much too strong for Antrim

It's hard to imagine a more clear-cut match in an All-Ireland semi-final. Antrim may have surprised Wexford two years ago at the same stage but the circumstances have changed drastically since.

For a start counties who have been stung in the recent past don’t make the most obliging of ambush victims. Secondly Wexford are a far more formidable collective now than they were in 2013.

Thirdly Antrim's outgoing senior and under-21 manager Kevin Ryan wasn't exactly spitting fiery defiance during the week.

In a remarkable interview with the Irish News he forecast that his team was in for a "massive hiding" and "don't deserve to be in the competition".

Wexford have a more conventional attitude heading into what presumably will be their second successive final at this level.

Form side

Two-thirds of the team that put it up to eventual champions Clare in last year’s final are still available and they cruised through Leinster handing Kilkenny a rare trimming as they went.

Seniors such as Conor McDonald and Liam Ryan were All Star nominees last year and if this summer's senior performance was disappointing the form at this grade has been good.

It’s a chasm between the teams and will surely play out that way.