Lights are on in headquarters and hopefully they produce some heat. Perfect for football maybe but let’s be selfish about this, these fingers will be suffering from frostbite before long. Down on the pitch both Longford and Wexford are warming up and this should be intriguing.

First up, the teams. The unbeaten Longford who captured back-to-back promotions while going undefeated this league line out as follows: D Sheridan; D Brady, B Gilleran, D Reilly; C Smyth, M Quinn, S Mulligan; B McElvaney, J Keegan; P McCormack, P Barden, N Mulligan, D McElligot, B Kavanagh, S McCormack.

You have to hand it to Glenn Ryan but also the county board. There were times in recent years when a knee-jerk change could have resulted in a different manager but this is a side that have been all about patience. It’s paid off because despite limited resources, they genuinely believe they can topple Laois in Leinster, just like they should have last season.

As for Wexford, they are our tip of the weekend across all four finals. (We’ll be finding a delete button in an hour and a half should we be proven wrong.) They line out as follows: A Masterson; R Tierney, G Molloy, N Murphy; B Malone, D Murphy, A Flynn; A Shore, D Waters; R Barry, C Lyng, B Brosnan; C Morris, E Bradley, PJ Banville.

They are now the third best team in Leinster in our eyes and there are a scatter of serious players across that Wexford line-up. Lyng and Barry are superb, Brosnan is a brilliant play-maker, Molloy is one of the best full-backs about while Bradley and Morris are the definition of old dogs for a very hard road. Keep an eye out for Rory Quinlavan on the bench as well, last year he established himself as a box-to-box workhorse and we expect him to play a big part this summer.

Referee is Conor Lane from Cork for those looking for an excuse later on! We’ve a minute’s silence followed by the national anthem and will be under way in minutes.

4 minutes: Longford 0-2 Wexford 0-0, Subdued start with both sides lining up traditionally and going man-to-man. Sean McCormack does put Longford one up with a free from the hands and then does likewise from the right-hand side although that second free did seem harsh.

7 mins: Longford 0-4 Wexford 0-0, Jason Ryan’s side yet to find their feet as Paul Barden extends the Longford advantage from play before Sean McCormack makes it three frees on the trot. Wexford look like they need a wake-up call. Bring forth the cattle prod!

11 mins: Longford 0-4 Wexford 0-1, These two sides met back in April when Longford won by 2-12 to 1-13 but we expected something different from a more familiar Wexford line-up. Hasn’t happened thus far with Bernard McElvaney comfortable in the middle for Longford, although Ciaran Lyng finally gets his side on the board with a trademark free from the right touchline.

12 mins: Longford 0-5 Wexford 0-1, Great work from John Keegan as he sucks in the Wexford defence and allows Paul Barden the space to kick his second. Really effective football from the underdogs.

14 mins: It’s not that Longford are bunching at the back, but so far Wexford are static in the inside-forward line and aimless from the outside-forward line.  Not what we expected from their strongest players. Comfortable for Longford so far.

17 mins: Longford 0-6 Wexford 0-1, They are punished after giving away possession again and that play summed up the game so far. Wexford hovered with the ball for too long before PJ Banville gave it away with a terrible pass. Longford come straight up the other end, far more direct and accurate and Paul Barden kicks his third.

20 mins: Longford 0-7 Wexford 0-1, Not surprisingly Wexford make a change but it’s in the backs. Niall Murphy is gone, Lee Chin from Sarsfields is on. Makes little difference though as Brian Kavanagh comes slightly deeper to collect possession, swivels and points.

25 mins: Every Longford back is getting out in front of his man. If this was early in the league you’d expect some Wexford fan on the terrace to pop up with an excuse about them being in the gym all week and that they haven’t done any ball work yet. Their shooting is aimless, even more so than their passing, and that’s saying a lot. Longford haven’t exactly been setting the world alight. Absolute rubbish from Jason Ryan’s side. No other word for it.

29 mins: Longford 0-8 Longford 0-2, Louder cheers have been heard at funerals than the one that just went up for Red Barry’s point. Wexford’s first from play. They need the break very quickly, while Longford need to capitalise on their comatosed opponents. And they do through Sean McCormack.

32 mins: Longford 0-9 Wexford 0-2, Whatever they did to him in Australia, it’s worked. Michael Quinn has been rock solid at centre-back, even Glenn Ryan would be proud of him. He wins the ball that sets up the attack which finishes with Brian Kavanagh pointing under pressure.

35+1 mins: Longford 1-9 Wexford 0-2, Longford bring on Paul Kelly for Padraig McCormack just before the interval and he still finds time to goal, after being played through by Brian Kavanagh. Wexford full-back line was pulled out, there was loads of room in behind and a fine soccer-style finish by the half-forward.

Half-time: Longford 1-10 Wexford0-3, Ben Brosnan scores, and that’s the set for the Wexford half-forward line but no one else has scored for them and another Sean McCormack free rounds off the half.

Just to confirm, there was no wind and Longford are worth their 10 point lead at the break. The funny thing is, the leaders haven’t been outstanding though. Good yes, economical sure, but nothing more. Wexford have had an even amount of possession but could learn from their opponent’s direct style. Instead, they have taken too much out of the ball, been unable to run directly and been unable to play even a simple pass. It’s been attrocious from the favourites.

The Longford defence has been built in the mould of their manager. They are contesting every ball and have been hugely physical. Laois should worry. But as for Wexford, championship openers are never won during the league but they have been lost. We expect Jason Ryan isn’t his usual methodical and reasoned self in their dressing room. Builders may be needed to repair the damage later on.

And we are back for the second half. Jason Ryan’s voice strangely wasn’t audible across Dublin at the break. Any more of this though and there shall be no dancing at the crossroads tonight.

37 mins: Longford 1-10 Wexford 0-4, A Red Barry free opens the scoring for the second period.  Is that the beginning of a comeback?

42 mins: Longford 1-10 Wexford 0-5, We lied, that last free was of course Ciaran Lyng, but this score definitely is Red Barry’s. Better from Wexford with David Murphy looking more purposeful at six.

44 mins: Ben Brosnan gone after a disappointing day where he didn’t at all dictate play and his ball striking was poor. Paddy Byrne replaces him. Rory Quinlavan is on too, for Andrew Shore, in the middle.

47 mins: Longford 1-11 Wexford 0-6, It’s Sean McCormack with another free – he’s been superbly accurate – that keeps things comfortable. Wexford need a goal, but instead they get a point through Lyng.

50 mins mins: Longford 1-11 Wexford 0-7, PJ Banville points as Wexford continue to nibble away at that lead. Shane Roche replaces Colm Morris too, adding to what has been disappointing scoring power so far.

53 mins: Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-8, Longford need to keep the scoreboard ticking over and every score is a body blow to Wexford’s chance of a comeback. A silly free allows Sean McCormack his easiest score of the day and while Shane Roche kicks a beauty, the clock is already becoming a factor.

55 mins: Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-9, The day may be close to lost but Shane Roche is putting in his stake for a championship place, kicking another nice score.  He’s been the best of the Wexford forwards and he’s achieved that in under 10 minutes.

58 mins: Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-10, James McGivney on for Niall Mulligan on the Longford team as Glenn Ryan looks to hold what he’s got. Wexford on top and a different team to the first half as Adrian Flynn pops up with a point. Not quite over yet.

63 mins: Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-12, Red Barry catches a free from just inside the 40 superbly. This would be some comeback and Rory Quinlavan and Shane Roche have made a serious difference. Now Eric Bradley gets in on the act. Only a goal in it. Longford look dead in the water but is there enough time?

67 mins: Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-12, Jason Ryan’s side have got back into this game by winning endless possession since the restart. Longford’s defence has been decent but wave after wave of attack is getting the better of them. However, only a goal will deny them as we enter the closing stages.

70 mins: Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-12 We enter injury-time of which there will be two minutes.  Francis McGee comes on for Longford, Conor Carty for Wexford.

70+1 mins: Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-13, Strange decision as Ciaran Lyng opts to put a free over the bar.

Result:Longford 1-12 Wexford 0-13, That’ll do it. Another great day for Longford and Glenn Ryan. That win was built on a huge first half but they’ll need to become a 70-minute team to advance to the next level and get places in the championship.