SHC Kilkenny v Wexford:A YEAR AGO the handicap betting on this fixture was Wexford plus nine. This weekend the challengers are available at plus 15 for much the same price. Yet in a way you could argue that the relative co-ordinates between the counties haven't shifted that much.
Certainly Wexford were laboured and worse during the two-match semi-final with Dublin but no one can be quite sure how the All-Ireland champions stand at this stage. The semi-final win over Offaly was more emphatic than last year's but the usual indicators don't suggest Kilkenny are in better shape as they chase an historic third successive All-Ireland.
Henry Shefflin, the one player whose presence consensus deems essential, is coming back from a cruciate injury and although not strictly needed until next month's All-Ireland semi-final, he has already lined out in last month's match with Offaly and plays tomorrow. But Kilkenny fans will be anxiously awaiting the reassurance of seeing him in top gear as soon as possible.
Other injuries are also bothering Brian Cody and reducing his options albeit not to the point where he can't drop players. Michael Fennelly, who was just establishing himself as James Fitzpatrick's centrefield partner, has had to drop out with a hand injury but Richie Hogan and Michael Rice pay the price of not impressing sufficiently against Offaly.
Another aspect of Kilkenny's championship preparation that hasn't been as impressive as usual is the NHL. For the first time since 2004, the last time they lost to Wexford, Kilkenny didn't reach the league final.
All of Wexford's improvements under John Meyler have been thrown back in their face by Kilkenny: the wins over Galway and Tipperary in the quarter-finals of last year's NHL and All-Ireland were followed by merciless beatings.
This year sees Wexford into another Leinster final with an unchanged team and leaves them under no more demanding pressure than to keep things respectable.
KILKENNY:PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, J Dalton; T Walsh, B Hogan, PJ Delaney; J Fitzpatrick, J Tyrrell; M Comerford, D Lyng, E Larkin; R Power, H Shefflin, E Brennan.
WEXFORD:D Fitzhenry, M Travers, K Rossiter, P Roche; M Jacob, D OConnor, D Stamp; E Quigley, D Redmond; PJ Nolan, W Doran, D Lyng; S Doyle, S Banville, R Jacob.
Referee:Barry Kelly (Westmeath).
GUIDELINES
In the last episode:Last year's All-Ireland semi-final and Leinster final both ended in whopping wins for the All-Ireland champions.
You bet:The handicap is likely to be the most popular bet and Wexford are available from +13 at evens to +15 at 8-11.
On your marks:The precedent is simple - if Wexford start well they can remain competitive for most of the match; if they don't - as last year when they disintegrated under the pressure of early goals - this will be no fun.
Gaining ground:Croke Park has come under scrutiny as a venue for this match given the torpid levels of anticipation. For the first time since Wexford were defending champions three years ago, the fixture isn't part of a double bill and without that extra padding the Leinster Council aren't expecting more than 25,000 and have accordingly closed most of the stadium.
Just the ticket:Just the bottom decks of the Cusack and Hogan stands will be open tomorrow. Stand tickets cost €35 with concessionary refund available for students and senior citizens in the Cusack where family tickets are also available (adults €35 and children €5).
Crystal gazing:Wexford's most realistic target is to be within the handicap.
