Leinster selector and Wicklow manager Niall Rennick has been put on the spot by the provincial council, which has scheduled an under-21 championship match involving Wicklow for Sunday, the same afternoon as Leinster attempt to record a three-in-a-row Railway Cup success in the final against Ulster in Clones.
"I made inquiries to the Leinster Council about refixing the match for Saturday, but I don't think I've been successful," Rennick said yesterday. "I'm particularly sorry for Barry O'Donovan, who's a sub for Leinster, but also an under-21 with Wicklow."
Rennick is already coping with the unwelcome experience of being on the receiving end of a surprise in last Sunday's Section D match with Limerick who, despite not having won a National League match in 12 months, defeated Wicklow and left Rennick's team with a tricky passage if they are to avoid being categorised as Division Four in next season's League redrawing.
Although disappointed with what he felt was a poor performance, Rennick made the point that a team such as Wicklow tends to be stigmatised by a result like Sunday's, whereas "if Dublin went to Limerick and lost, it would be dismissed as a hiccup and no one would take it into account when assessing their championship prospects."
On the Railway Cup front, Leinster are concerned about the fitness of Kildare's Glen Ryan and also Meath's Mark O'Reilly, but should be in a position to select virtually the same side as defeated Munster in the Killarney semifinal nine days ago.
Opponents Ulster announce their team today and are likely to name a similar line-up to the one which defeated Connacht after extra-time in Sunday's replay. According to selector Art McRory, he and manager Brian McEniff won't be making "major changes".
McEniff and McRory spent some time studying video footage of the victory over Connacht. They are understood to be concerned about the manner in which Connacht managed to create three clear goal chances in added time.
"Finbarr McConnell was in brilliant form in goal and that saved us," said McEniff, hinting that he may decide to make changes in defence. The side will be boosted in attack by the return of Mickey Linden, who missed Sunday's game due to Down's involvement in a National League tie.
Mayo may delay until later in the week before naming the side to take on Carlow at Charlestown in the postponed National League match which was called off before Christmas because of unrest in the Carlow camp.
Injuries have placed a questionmark over midfielders David Heaney and David Brady who missed the Railway Cup match in Clones.
The Connacht champions had a comfortable win over Tyrone in a challenge match on Saturday and although manager John Maughan is inclined to overlook the significance of the result, it is indicative of reasonable form as the second half of the league looms.
Sligo fullback Colin White, who dislocated his shoulder while playing for the Garda in a challenge against Castlehaven last week, is almost certain to miss his county's three remaining games in the league.
