IN this less than riveting battle of stereotypes, it was Offaly's celebrated indifference to the League or, alternatively, any opposition except Kilkenny - that managed to lose out, ahead of a spirited challenge from Wexford's equally famous inclination to hit abundant wides and lose initiative.

Indeed, confidence in Wexford's ability to blow a reasonable lead (or maybe Offaly's capacity to do anything about it) had so abated that with about 10 minutes to go, and a mere four points in the balance, people in the 15,573 crowd started to leave.

So Galway will have unexpected company in the semi final of the National Hurling League, sponsored by Church & General.

With characteristic asperity, Offaly's manager Eamonn Cregan accurately summarised his team's performance: "We did well for 11 minutes and then sat on the fence. We looked like we thoughts we could get them back at anytime. Wexford just tore us asunder."

For those 11 minutes, Offaly did look as if they were going to cruise through the afternoon. Leading by 12 to nil, they had the added comfort of having blocked a poorly hit Tommy Kehoe penalty, awarded for a foul on Larry Murphy. Wexford were also quickly into their wasteful stride and made an early start on what was to be a substantial wides' total.

In the ninth minute, Billy Dooley cut in from right corner, forward and set up Joe Errity for a goal, taken with great dexterity. They were to add only two further scores during the afternoon.

Wexford, however, went on to show a good bit of character in steadying the ship and taking enough scores to draw level in the midst of some of their worst finishing during the match.

The key score was a 22nd minute goal created by full forward Gary Laffan. He scrambled the ball through to Murphy whose fast solo took him beyond Kevin Kinahan and into the danger zone from which he kicked to the net.

Offaly's decline was fully operational by this stage and they, would have trailed at half time but for an injury time goal from Declan Pilkington, squeezed in after Errity laid off a ball from Joe Dooley - gifted to him by a poorly taken free from Liam Dunne.

"It was a terrible first half," said Wexford's manager Liam Griffin afterwards. "The atmosphere was eerie, no one in the crowd said a word. It reminded me of the awful championship match last summer (when Offaly beat Wexford in the Leinster semi final)."

Offaly made changes at halftime. They had already been, forced to start the match without Brian Whelehan who was injured in an accident at work last week and Johnny Dooley for whom an "an other" spot had been kept.

For the second half, they had to send on Aidan Mannion for Johnny Pilkington who had picked up a knock and only four minutes later, Johnny Dooley was hastily despatched to try and create ignition - although Cregan said afterwards that the wing forward wasn't fit.

The only ignition, however, was Wexford's. Sensing that the opposition was increasingly unlikely to dispute matters, the winners' attack clicked into gear and points began to fly over. All the forwards scored in the second half with five of them scoring from play.

The only punctuation was a point from John Troy and a disallowed goal by Joe Dooley (square ball against Errity).

It would be wrong to be overly cynical about Wexford's victory.

For a long time, the county has lacked confidence more than anything else. Fed by constant agonising failures, the insecurity cost them League and Leinster - and who knows what else - three years ago.

If Liam Griffin has reshaped morale to the extent that they can overcome such adversity as yesterday's first 11 minutes and against more convincing challenges, he - and the county - can be well pleased.

The defence wasn't particularly troubled by Offaly's harmless assaults. Joe Errity's physical game gave John O'Connor a bit of a problem but everyone did their job competently. Greater tests await Ger Cush's mobility but he had reason enough to be happy.

Adrian Fenlon, in particular, and Rory McCarthy gave Wexford a sound base at centrefield but against a unit no more elevated than Offaly's third or fourth choice.

In attack there was, however, definite encouragement. Martin Storey still isn't 100 per cent after his operation but sharpened up as the match progressed. Tom Dempsey's four points from play represented a good haul and young Gary Laffan overcame a hesitant start to put in a much improved second half.

Nonetheless, Larry Murphy stood out at wing forward if only for the fact that he looked dangerous before his colleagues ever did and when the match was, albeit briefly, going against them.

It's hard to know what to make, of Offaly's dire display. Cregan agreed that they weren't sharp but that the panel is in the middle of stamina training. Aside from the perennial nature of that response, there are other worries for the Leinster champions.

For a start, the depth of the panel remains suspect. There is little reason to suspect that their championship line up will vary much from last year's. Secondly, their ability to cope with the loss of key players Brian Whelehan and Johnny Dooley yesterday was not re assuring.

Whatever the real picture, the Leinster championship is beginning to look like a bit of a contest.