Midfield battle will be pivotal

Wexford v Down:(Saturday, Croke Park 2pm) -THE PRIMARY focus in trying to discern a winner alights on the mental as much as physical issues that pertain to this encounter. Wexford's second-half savaging by Dublin in the Leinster final must have been dispiriting so it's reasonable to assume that manager Jason Ryan has spent considerable time regrouping.

What he will demand is character on the pitch today and also seek to reinforce that Wexford have not become a bad team on the strength of one poor performance. Excellent in the National League, they played with a brio and self-belief that took them careering past Meath and Laois.

In essence if they are to retain the courage of their convictions in a footballing sense they have to return to that gung-ho style where the half-back line sweeps forward to support what is a richly talented full-forward line.

Down have been cast as the free-scoring troubadours of this season's championship, racking up some impressive totals; a rejuvenated Benny Coulter in the van. They, too, though must answer questions about defensive resilience, a state of affairs that won't be eased by the absence of first choice full back Martin Cole through injury. Peter Turley takes over in the only change from the victory over Laois.

In tracing a graph of comparison, two matches are thrust forward, Wexford's victory over today's opponents in a National League Division Three clash last March at Wexford (little relevance) and the fact that both sides have beaten Laois in this season's championship. Wexford triumphed by eight points, Down by two, albeit the Ulster side did so in Portlaoise.

Down also played a fair chunk of that match without their captain and midfielder, Dan Gordon. He received a straight red card but video evidence subsequently exonerated him of any wrong doing. Gordon's partnership with Ambrose Rodgers could be pivotal to the outcome.

Ryan has elected not to name his team, publicly at least, until after a final training session.

DOWN:B McVeigh; L Howard, P Turley, C Murney; P Murphy, A Carr, K McGuigan; D Gordon, A Rodgers; J Fegan, K McKernan, D Hughes; R Murtagh, J Clarke, B Coulter.

Guidelines

In the last episode: Although the sides have never met in the championship they did clash on March 2nd in the National Football League Division Three game at Wexford Park, which the home side won by 2-8 to 0-9. Wexford were unbeaten in the league.

You bet: Down are the odds-on favourites at 4/7, with the Leinster side available at 7/4.

On your marks: Down have scored a massive 10-71 in their five championship outings to date, while Wexford - the Leinster final notwithstanding - have also racked up some pretty decent totals themselves.

It suggests an entertaining, open encounter.

Gaining ground: The availability of Down captain Dan Gordon will be a massive fillip for a team that with the exception of the Armagh match has shown decent form throughout the championship. The big question surrounding Wexford is how they will respond to the crushing loss to the Dubs.

Just the ticket: Admission to Croke Park for today's and tomorrow's matches is by ticket only, which are available from participating county boards, the GAA.ie website and Ticketmaster nationwide.

Ticket outlet locations on match day are as follows: GAA Ticket Shop, North Circular Road, Bishop's Palace on Drumcondra Road, outside Martin Properties at the Dorset St end of Whitworth Road and also under the railway bridge on the Ballybough Road.

Crystal gazing: The key to this match could lie in the battle at midfield and Down appear better equipped to dominate in that area.