When Wexford beat Kilkenny in the Leinster under-21 hurling final in early July, it was a turning point for the whole county. SΘamus Murphy, the manager of the under-21s, reckons it was the most important boost for Wexford since the seniors won the All-Ireland title in 1996. It created an immediate symbiosis with the senior side, helping them to drop the baggage of defeat that Kilkenny had inflicted in the Leinster senior final in Croke Park just three days earlier.

No one predicted Wexford would get to Sunday's final, so opponents Limerick will be strong favourites at the showdown in Thurles. However, the Leinster title - the first since 1997 - and the subsequent run of the seniors has put Wexford's confidence back on a high.

"When we started off this year our number one goal was to beat Dublin in the first round," says Murphy. "It was three years since Wexford got out of the first round, and Dublin would definitely be on a par with Wexford at this level. They had done well at minor the year before and had also won the colleges title.

"So it was definitely a 50-50 game, and thankfully we got through it. Then we beat Offaly, but there's no doubt that the Kilkenny game was the big one That gave the county a massive kick."

The timing couldn't have been better. Heads were low in Wexford hurling circles after what Kilkenny had done in Croke Park in the Leinster senior final. It wasn't that Wexford had played particularly badly, but it did seem to flatten all the county's hopes. The under-21s were given little chance.

"Well it was a marvellous night One of the first games in the new Wexford Park, and a big crowd. The team showed great battling qualities and it gave the whole county an immediate lift."

The margin was close - 0-10 to 1-5 - but everyone in Wexford took note. Before that game, there were five or six under-21 players on the senior panel but only one or two were playing. More were brought onto the senior team so that five of them played a role in the quarter-final against Limerick - Nicky Lambert, Rory Mallon, David O'Connor, Darren Stamp and Trevor Kelly.

Murphy, in his first term as under-21 manager, has established a good working relationship with senior manager Tony Dempsey, and is now well prepared for a winning climax.

"I'd agree that Limerick are warm favourites, but some people have made them hot favourites. They've been given some very strong odds for a two-horse race, but we know they are a very good side. They are carrying last year's success with them, and have seven or eight players back, but we're going in there with the right attitude.

"I think the pressure is off the players. And I know they have great battling qualities."

Murphy has taken the scenic route in intercounty management. In 1979 a shoulder injury prematurely ended his playing days (he had won a Leinster under-21 medal) and he quickly moved into the administration of teams in his native Rathnure.

In 1989-'90 he was a selector with Wexford's minors, and he then took over as under-21 manager with Rathnure. Last year he was also senior camogie manager.

"I don't think you always have to get success at underage to be a successful senior. It's more important that you are just competitive at that level.

"That's one of the things that appealed to me about under-21 level.

"I felt the grade was a vital area for the future of Wexford hurling If you can't keep them at that age then they have no chance of making it as a senior."

Murphy has given midfielder and team captain Nicky Lambert, who has a broken thumb, an extra 48 hours to prove his fitness for Sunday's clash.

WEXFORD (SH v Limerick): M White; N Maguire, D O'Connor, R Kirwan; R Mallon, B McGee, T Kelly; A N Other, D Stamp; R Barry, G Coleman, R Jacob; B Lambert, M Jacob, D Lyng.