NIALL RENNICK'S varied football career took a new direction yesterday when he was named on the Carlow team to play Wexford in the Leinster senior football championship at Dr Cullen Park next Sunday. Although Rennick, a native of Meath, has played in challenge games for Carlow this is his championship debut.

Rennick was appointed manager of Wicklow in 1990. He had a brief interlude on the Meath, panel in 1991 but left to concentrate on his managerial career. In the same year Wicklow came close to knocking Meath out of the championship. Meath, weary after the four game marathon against Dublin, escaped with a draw and won the replay.

Rennick led Wicklow to the All Ireland B championship in 1992 before quitting in 1993. This year he was a selector on the Leinster team which won the Railway Cup.

Now playing his club football with Rathvilly, he has been chosen on the left wing of attack for Carlow.

Rennick's inclusion is not the only surprise on the Callow team. There are no Haydens in the lineup Colm and Joe are in the substitutes but Brendan will be out of the country.

"It reflects the great competition there is at present for places on the team," said manager Bobby Miller. Still the Carlow management have come up with a formidable looking attack with dual player Johnny Nevin and Garvan Ware, back after twos months' suspension, manning the pivotal positions.

Breffni Hannon and Shay Doorley are given championship debuts in the full back line. Doorley is a cousin of former Republic of Ireland soccer player Shay Brennan. Derek Tracey, at midfield, is another newcomer to championship football at this level, but Pat Kavanagh is another regular surprisingly left out.

"We feel that given a bit of time we could mould a really strong team together with the players we have at present," said Miller.