THREE forgotten men of Leinster hurling contrived to keep the eyes of an excited crowd darting towards their synchronised watches in the final frantic moments of this Walsh Cup final at Parnell Park yesterday, which pitted the All-Ireland champions against the hopefuls.

This tournament was the launching pad for Wexford's fabled journey to glory last year. Perhaps Eamon Scallan's exultation in the All-Ireland victory wash somewhat tarnished by his `big day' dismissal. Yesterday, his tidy tickwork and radar-like accuracy from frees set him apart from his team-mates in a wholly admirable regard.

In opposition, two ex-Kilkenny players stretched a sluggish Wexford defence. Removed from their former county spotlight, Dublin's Jamesie Brennan and Eamon Morrissey shunned any notion that their commitment to the capital's cause would be anything less than 100 per cent with typically astute contributions.

Brennan kept Rory McCarthy in check around the middle and was almost as prolific as Scallan from placed balls. Seasoned `men o' war' Morrissey and John O'Connor took it in turn to best each other in a hugely physical battle. O'Connor was alert and vigilant in his assignment. Morrissey still shot four points.

Only Scallan's ability to find the target prevented Wexford from being overhauled by the break. This, despite a brisk wind and favourable start that included two frees and the only goal of the game, scored by Scallan in the 10th minute.

Tom Dempsey was bottled up in the right corner but found Robert Hassey, whose initial touch was ponderous. But, when his crossfield pass was eventually delivered, it was worth waiting for. Scallan slipped by John Finnegan to squeeze a shot inside Brendan McLoughlin at his near post.

From then to the interval, it was tit-for-tat. Brennan (three), Morrissey, Stephen Perkins and Damien Hernon picked away at the deficit, while Wexford were busy accumulating seven wides.

Bridging the two-point gap, 1-5 to 0-6, looked well within Dublin's capabilities. They tended to throw away their chances, however, with Conor McCann alone responsible for five wides during the hour. The closest Dublin got was in the 31st, 43rd and 55th minutes, when they clipped the Wexford lead to the minimum.

But they could never get their noses in front or even level.