DUBS TIE A BLOW FOR WEXFORD.

Byline: JAMES McDONALD 

WEXFORD'S bid to host next summer's Leinster SFC glamour clash with Dublin looks set for defeat.

The Leinster Council met last night to consider dates and venues for its 2010 football and hurling championships.

Wexford's delegates at the meeting lobbied fixture makers to pencil in their football tie against Dublin for Wexford Park.

They believe their refurbished 25,000 capacity ground is well capable of hosting the quarter-final.

But the cash generated by at least 50,000 punters at Croke Park is likely to see the tie played in Dublin.

"Being realistic clubs in Wexford and everywhere else will be looking for grants this time next year and where is the money going to come from?," said Wexford Chairman Ger Doyle.

"If you're looking at the bigger picture the money to fund our units comes out of big gates at Croke Park."

The Leinster Council is expected to release its 2010 fixtures shortly but may take a number of extra weeks to consider the Dublin v Wexford issue and the arguments from both sides.

Meanwhile, the provincial body will confirm this morning the date and venue for the Leinster SFC semi-final replay between Portlaoise and Clara.

The tie was abandoned on Sunday due to a waterlogged pitch in Portlaoise.

The rematch is expected to go ahead this Saturday but as Portlaoise is required on Sunday for the Leinster club hurling final a different venue may be chosen.

The Connacht club final between Corofin and Charlestown will go ahead on Sunday, in Charlestown, after being postponed at the weekend.

CAPTION(S):

SUMMER TEST Pat Gilroy