Higgins returns to lead Wexford
Nigel Higgins will captain Wexford for their Leinster SHC semi-final showdown against Dublin on Saturday evening (throw-in 7pm).
Rathnure clubman Higgins will end his two-year absence from championship hurling at Nowlan Park, having returned to the Wexford panel in late April.
Wexford boss John Meyler has selected Higgins at right corner forward with Darren Stamp positioned at full-forward, and Diarmuid Lyng and Eoin Quigley partnering each other in midfield.
Higgins made a big impression for the Models in 2005 when he scored 9-15 in 11 Walsh Cup and National League matches, but work commitments saw him opt out of the panel later that summer.
In a notable switch, Meyler has named regular full-back David 'Doc' O'Connor at centre forward, given his recent performances in attack for St Anne's in the Wexford club championship.
Groin strain victim Declan Ruth has been passed fit to play at full-back, but injury has got the better of Kevin Kavanagh, John O'Connor and PJ Nolan.
Despite recent challenge match defeats to Waterford and Limerick, Wexford will be confident of beating Dublin and progressing through to their seventh successive Leinster SHC final.
The Model men, who reached the NHL Division One semi-finals, have beaten Laois (twice), Offaly (twice), Dublin and Kilkenny in their last six Leinster semi-finals.
WEXFORD (SHC v Dublin) - D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D Ruth, P Roche; R Kehoe, K Rossiter, C Kenny; D Lyng, E Quigley; M Jacob, D O'Connor, P Carley; N Higgins (capt), D Stamp, R Jacob.
