WINS by the outsiders in both of the National Hurling League quarter finals have shaken up expectations for the coming Leinster championship.

Laois and Wexford have threatened in the recent past, but both are actually on rehabilitation missions, having slipped off the pace in the last few years. Laois's progress has been more impressive because they started from a lower base, but by last summer they had crept close to Kilkenny.

The real question surrounds Kilkenny's true worth. If they have been overvalued, as some in the county fear, by their Division One, results, there is the additional problem that fresh personnel aren't thick on the ground despite the good results at under age level over the last three years.

Too many of the 1992-'93 All Ireland survivors look drained and below par, while lack of physique in attack is affecting the team's penetration. They have the advantage that a couple of months out of the limelight will allow manager Nicky Brennan sort things out without distraction. It's far from certain that we'll be looking back at April 14th as a watershed date.

Wexford, Kilkenny's opening opponents in the championship, have their own difficulties. Many of the old failings were on view at the weekend, with the main difference being that the hapless early exchanges which normally predestine, the team to defeat turned out to be misleading.

The second half avalanche of points reminiscent in its own way of the liberation that unleashed Clare towards the end of last summer's Munster final should, however, be treated with caution. Offaly had long signalled that the match was beyond them and improved Wexford marksmanship should be seen in that context.

Manager Liam Griffin will be aware of all this, but happy enough that the team is gaining momentum. They have a bit to do to reach the point beyond which the 1993 team were incapable of moving, but they're heading in the right direction.

Meanwhile, in Ulster, another side moving along in the right direction is Down, who on Sunday reached the McKenna Cup final where they will face neighbours Armagh. For a team with an All Ireland up to a year ago, this might, look a bit of a non event, but for a team that was relegated to Division Three a couple of months ago, it's less to be scoffed at.

"It's unusual to see such interest in the McKenna Cup," said Down selector John Murphy, responding to enquiries about any signs of life in the county. He agreed that the team had placed stamina training above the immediate need to survive in Division Two when playing out their programme in February.

Subsequent to Christmas, we were affected by preparations for the championship and other things such as the availability of players. There's still a big doubt over Greg (Blaney), he still hasn't recovered from his hamstring injury picked up in mid November and the clock's beginning to run against him."

Given Blaney's veteran status, mightn't a rest do him good?

"Yeah, but there comes a time when training has to start. You can't leave it until the 11th hour and he's missed so much. The rest are OK."

Has relegation depressed or embarrassed the panel?

"There was a degree of disappointment, but I think the supporters felt it more than the players. The way things have developed over the last two months, the McKenna Cup is the last thing open to us before the championship."

There is good reason for the players' reaction. Should the county win another All Ireland (their third this decade) - and some believe that the prospect isn't a totally lost cause who'll see less of Division Three than some supporters. Even per haps, if the county doesn't have a good championship.

. Limerick hurling star, Mike Houlihan, will be out of action for the next three months having been kicked by a bullock while loading cattle yesterday.

Houlihan, who had been central to Limerick's plans for next month's championship battled against Cork, was rushed to the Cork Regional hospital where he was described last night as comfortable. According to a Limerick source, Houlihan fractured his jaw in three places and is due to go to the theatre this morning.