Do or die in Parnell Park (UPDATED)

Of all the potential problems that lie in wait for Andy Moran ahead of next Sunday's do or die Tailteann Cup clash with Wexford, the idea that they might only have six days to prepare for an away game in a preliminary quarter-final is one they will happily embrace if given the chance.

All the possible scenarios facing the Green & Gold were simplified after Saturday's Tailteann Cup games leaving Andy Moran's side needing a win from Sunday's final group 4 clash with Wexford in Parnell Park to become one of the three best third place teams (3 pm throw-in).

Leitrim had the worst scoring of the third placed teams going into the final round but with Tipperary only beating Waterford by a single point, the Green & Gold know that a victory will see them into the preliminary quarter-finals next weekend as one of the three best third placed seeds.

Paddy Maguire misses out on match day 26 as Beirne & O'Donnell return for Leitrim's Tailteann Cup clash with Wexford

Trouble is the Model county have just as much to play for as Leitrim right now - they have a point and a draw over Andy Moran's men would be enough to see them into the preliminary quarter-finals so again, it simply comes down to Leitrim having to win and unfortunately that is not a good position to be in as we all saw in New York.

The pressure was on the Green & Gold in The Bronx and they didn't react well, missing numerous chances that would have seen them cruise into the Connacht Semi-Final had they been taken but that is what pressure does.

Make no mistake about it, Leitrim are under pressure next Sunday - the two losses against Antrim and Fermanagh are both demoralising in their own right but taken together, it can't be easy for this Green & Gold squad to keep their spirits up.

It will help that there was a feeling after Wexford's 0-19 to 0-15 loss down in Chadwick's Wexford Park last February that even with a lacklustre performance, Leitrim had the home side on the ropes before a turbo charged sprint down the home stretch from the Yellow Bellies saw them cruise to a comfortable enough four point win.

What will resonate with the Leitrim fans who made the journey down to the sunny south east was the sheer running power and physical power that Wexford possessed - there were times that they looked beaten but their ability to turn over ball and attack in waves, reminiscent of what Antrim and Fermanagh did, is a warning to Leitrim fans out there.

That game was dominated by a strong wind down the middle but ironically, both teams did slightly better against the wind that with it so it will be interesting to see how the Leinster men fare away from home although, to be fair, that day in Chadwick's Wexford Park, it seemed that Leitrim numbers were about equal to that of the home side.

What Wexford will take from that game is pretty much straight forward - can they stop Keith Beirne. From talking to members of the Wexford stats team that day, they were very taken with the skills and scoring ability of the Mohill man and they're sure  to have some special plan in place to combat Beirne  next Sunday.

That is, of course, if he is back to full fitness - Leitrim's talisman went into the Antrim game carrying an injury and then picked up a new one which explains his return of a solitary point but what both the Antrim and Fermanagh games have emphasised is how much the Green & Gold relies on his sharpshooting.

The return of Conor Reynolds will be welcome for a defensive unit that had coughed up 4-37 in two games and whatever about Beirne's return, it is in defence where the greatest scope for improvement lies - cut down the concession of goals and frees and you have a chance.

However, Reynolds' return is offset by the absence of defensive talisman Paddy Maguire and that is a big loss, his experience and leadership often a vital ingredient for Leitrim teams.

But the biggest battle Leitrim may have is in regaining the self-belief that infused the League campaign early in the year, before Wexford damaged it so spectacularly last February. Fair to say that the mood among supporters isn't great after four consecutive losses to Sligo in the League, New York in the championship and Antrim and Fermanagh in the Tailteann Cup.

Maybe we all are the problem

THE LAST POINT

To be honest, the only way you win people back is by producing a performance and that is the imperative now - I couldn't fault the tempo, aggression, commitment nor spirit shown in Corrigan Park and Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, it is simply that execution has let them down.

Fix that problem -  and that is far easier written than done - and you will go a long way to delivering a performance that could keep the Tailteann Cup dream alive. Honesty compels me to admit that I see Sunday's game as no more than 50-50 - Wexford are reliant on frees from Mark Rossiter and keeper Darragh Brooks but as we've seen over the past few weeks, we're pretty reliant on Keith Beirne ourselves.

Wexford possess all the qualities that caused us problems against Antrim and Fermanagh - big, mobile, rangy and powerful footballers with impact off the bench. It will take a monumental effort but even turning 10% of the chances they've been missing will give the Green & Gold a chance. But for the future of this team, they've got to produce a performance that will sustain them, be it in victory or defeat, and give them something to build on for the future.