The venue for the refixed WexfordWaterford NHL match at the weekend is causing ructions in the south-east. Originally scheduled for New Ross, the fixture is to be played in Gorey, a significantly longer journey for the visitors who according to county secretary Seamus Grant, are "very unhappy" about the change.

In a press statement yesterday, the Wexford county board pointed out that the switch had been made as two of the team's best-known players, All Stars Adrian Fenlon and Rory McCarthy, are only returning from abroad on Sunday morning. Accordingly the match has been moved closer to Dublin to facilitate their arrival in time for the match.

On the field, Waterford have made two changes to the team which was whacked by Kilkenny last Sunday. Paul Flynn, a notable omission from the last team-sheet, returns at left corner forward in an attack showing a multitude of positional switches, with only John Mullane holding the same position as the last day. In defence, James Murray replaces Victor O'Shea while Johnny Brenner comes in at centrefield, allowing Tony Browne to move to left wing forward.

The fate of a number of players sent off in recent National League matches will be known today. Among them are Roscommon's Dessie Dolan and Dublin's Ciaran Whelan. Jason Sherlock, who was also sent off in the Dublin-Roscommon match, is cirrently abroad and was unable to attend last night's meeting of the GAC.

The Limerick football selectors are resigned to having to plan without the services of Brian Begley this year. Begley is understood to be concentrating on hurling this year.

Meanwhile, the winners of the AIB GAA Provincial Players' Awards scheme have been announced. With the football finalists, Nemo Rangers and Crosmolina, already known and the hurling semi-finals taking place this weekend, a number of players have been honoured for their roles in helping clubs to the provincial championship titles. The awards bring some consolation for Niall English and David O'Neill of O'Hanrahan's and Bellaghy respectively, both of whom lost out in last weekend's semi-finals.

The other two football winners are centrefielder Michael Moyles from Crossmolina and Nemo's Martin Cronin. The hurling award winners are well-known inter-county players. Athenry's Eugene Cloonan wins his second successive accolade, Sixmilebridge's Niall Gilligan is recognised for a decisive performance in the Munster final defeat of Mount Sion, and Dunloy's Seamus McMullan takes the Ulster award. Graigue-Ballycallan's Denis Byrne rounds off a memorable year with the Leinster award.