THE WEXFORD Senior hurlers began life without the great Damien Fitzhenry by forging a routine win over a limited Westmeath side in the opening round of Division 2 of the Allianz League before a small crowd in Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Sunday last.

Good finishes to both halves ensured that the game went along expected lines, with the home side fading after a bright opening, but then bursting to life again for a spell after the break.

However, Wexford had plenty of ammunition to contain them, and while others might disagree, the stark reality is that the only true test of the team in this group will be provided away to Clare on March 14.

What they need to do in the remaining ties is to avoid the type of silly slip-up which led to defeat in Belfast last season, so this was mission accomplished in that sense.

The mentors will find it very hard to learn lessons from games of this nature, although they did take one salient point home with them from the midlands.

That's the fact that P.J. Nolan lacks the physical cut and thrust required of a centre-forward, but he's much more at home at midfield where he has plenty of room and can feed off loose balls.

His direct switch with Willie Doran after 19 minutes came when the sides were level on 0-5 each and, while free-taker Brendan Murtagh then edged Westmeath ahead, Wexford hit the last eight points of the half including two gems from Nolan.

Behind him, Keith Rossiter was head and shoulders above all others on the field at left corner-back, and he formed a solid unit with Paul Roche and newcomer Eoin Doyle who handled three different opponents.

Of course, all eyes were on Dermot Flynn and he will be happy with his clean sheet. Paul Roche bailed him out with a double save from close-range pulls by Derek McNicholas and Dan Carty in the 17th minute, while the netminder dealt competently with second-half efforts from Paul Greville and Joe Clarke respectively.

Diarmuid Lyng and Darren Nolan had their moments in the half-forward line, with the latter's direct running earning several frees, although more was expected from a full-forward trio who managed just three points between them and were outplayed early on.

In mitigation, Rory Jacob is only feeling his way back after injury. Stephen Banville didn't seem best pleased to be taken off after 58 minutes when he reached the sideline, but it was hard to understand why.

His replacement, Jim Berry, injected new life and rounded off the win with a superb finish into the top corner of the net from a Willie Doran handpass with eight minutes left (1-18 to 0-12).

Westmeath were full of fire in the first nine minutes as they deservedly established a 0-4 to 0-1 lead, but Wexford didn't panic and had drawn level (0-5 each) midway through the half, with Darren Stamp, P.J. Nolan and Diarmuid Lyng all scoring good long-range points.

Peter Atkinson had a stinging shot well saved by Pat Burke before Wexford went on the rampage with a succession of scores, with Lyng unerring from frees while Banville, Jacob, P.J. Nolan (two) and Darren Nolan also contributed.

While the captain increased the lead to 0-14 to 0-6 on the re-start from a free, Wexford's form then dipped as the Westmeath half-backs gained a foothold.

Indeed, they were back clipping at the favourites' heels with 15 minutes left (0-16 to 0-12), but points from Peter Atkinson and substitute Malachy Travers created some breathing space before Jim Berry made sure of success shortly after his introduction.

Andrew Shore, playing his second inter-county game of the weekend, and Ciarán Kenny added late points, with a goalbound attempt from Diarmuid Lyng saved in between.

The first two points are safely in the bag, and another brace will be secured at home to Down on Sunday barring a huge surprise.

It's early days yet, but this writer for one is completely baffled by the fact that the selectors deem Michael Jacob surplus to requirements at the moment.

The truth of the matter is that there are several very ordinary players on the squad, and Jacob is streets ahead of many of them in terms of ability, attitude and commitment in my opinion.

Wexford need their very best hurlers on board in order to escape from Division 2, and I defy anyone to tell me that Jacob is not in the top ten.

- ALAN AHERNE In Mullingar