Unfortunately for Wexford, Mallon who trained with the squad on Friday night last informed the selectors that he was emigrating to America and would not be available for the Offaly game.

O'Gorman, who hurls out of the same club as Mallon, Faythe Hariers, is clearly unhappy with this latest development which has rocked Wexford hurling.

"It's difficult to understand having trained for more than six months to make such a decision on the eve of the championship."

In a clear swipe at his defensive colleague O'Gorman slammed the decision claiming: "He is not alone letting the county down but also letting himself down. It's bitterly disappointing coming so late for he will be a huge loss."

O'Gorman claims: "The decision may not be so puzzling when one looks back. He has missed some training, turned up late on more nights, making it extremely difficult for players who are now left out of the side to accept, despite putting in a huge effort over the months."

Now Mallon, who worked as a Building Sales Representative for a Kilkenny company, is jetting out to New York where he is expected to hurl throughout the summer months with a local club.

Wexford footballers will also be without the services of Mallon for Saturday's qualifier against Derry.

County PRO, Alan Aherne stated that while Mallon has informed the hurling selectors of his unavailability he has made no contact with the football management.

It's been a bitterly trying week for the Wexford hurling management as they prepare for their first championship game in charge.

Despite Mallon's absence from the full-back line there's no consolation for full-back Darragh Ryan who has failed to make the starting fifteen.

Ryan who had a cruciate knee ligament operation last September, missed out on the league campaign, but has played in all of his sides recent challenge games against Laois, Waterford and Galway, while also assisting his club St. Anne's in the opening round of the county championship.

The management, who hand championship debuts to Keith Rossiter from the Oulart-the-Ballagh Club, and Donal Berry from St. Anne's, have also left two vacancies in the side as both Darren Stamp and Rory McCarthy face late fitness tests on hamstring injuries.

The failure of Ryan to make the start coupled with Mallon's bombshell has left Wexford hurling in disarray.

Wexford SH: D. Fitzhenry, C. Kehoe, D. O'Connor, K. Rossiter, A N Other, D. Ruth, L. Dunne, A. Fenlon, A N Other, P. Codd, D. Berry, B. Goff, B. Lambert, R. Jacob, M. Jordan.