Wexford make sensational comeback in epic battle

Wexford 0-16

Out-classed and out-gunned by a superb Faithful side in the first half, Wexford looked to be out of their depth when they trailed by seven points at the interval.

However, in a remarkable second half comeback, the All-Ireland champions of 1996 stormed back to seal a final date against Kilkenny with a fantastic match-winning point from young substitute Michael Jacob, two minutes from the end of normal time.

And the drama did not end there. Offaly missed a golden opportunity of equalising when Brian Carroll agonisingly failed to convert a scoreable 35-metre free as the epic battle headed into injury time.

It was a desperately sad end for an Offaly side that hurled magnificently in the opening sequences.

But it was a fabulous triumph for a never-say-die Wexford team whose challenge for the honours was thwarted time and time again by the absolute heroics of Offaly goal-keeper Brian Mullins before Jacob struck to clinch a remarkable victory for the Yellow Bellies.

Mullins made four absolutely spellbinding saves that would have knocked the heart out of any side, except this Wexford team of yesterday.

Undeterred by the sheer brilliance of the Offaly goalkeeper, Wexford battled and were ultimately rewarded for their efforts.

It was all so different midway through the first half as Offaly began to dominate proceedings after the sides were level on three occasions in the opening stages.

A goal from Rory Hanniffy, set up by Joe Errity in the ninth minute, proved to be the launching pad for an outstanding exhibition of hurling from Offaly, with Brian Whelahan and Joe Brady, superb in their half-back line.

Michael Cordial and Barry Whelehan controlled midfield with their non-stop running aggression and the Hanniffy brothers, Gary and Rory, together with Brian Carroll, were rampant up front.

As Offaly grew in stature, Wexford wilted and even the normally extremely accurate freetaker Paul Codd, was off target. Only Rory McCarthy, with his exquisite skills, looked the part for an out-played Wexford side.

Playing with great composure and confidence, Offaly dynamically swept into an eight-points lead before Wexford were thrown a much-needed lifeline on the stroke of half-time when team captain Codd was pulled down in the square.

However, to compound Wexford’s woes at this juncture, goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry blasted the resultant penalty high over the bar to leave Offaly leading comfortably by 1-10 to 0-6 at half-time.

Wexford, with the wind to their backs, received a great morale booster with two points in rapid succession from Codd who finally found his free-taking touch, and Rory Jacob.

Suddenly the gap between them was not as intimidating and Wexford who seemed to sense that they were right back in the hunt, upped the pace of their game accordingly.

The steam went out of the Offaly attack and more and more, they were thrown on the defensive as Wexford stormed forward with purpose.

But the electrifying Mullins was primarily responsible for holding a dramatically transformed Wexford side at bay and keeping Offaly in front on the scoreboard as the tension and passion grew.

Then two things occurred almost simultaneously which had a profound bearing on the proceedings.

Offaly lost midfield player Michael Cordial, while Codd came began to hit some marvellous long-range points from frees, two of which were over the 100-metre mark.

Cordial, who was concussed, was a revelation on his senior championship debut and his departure left a void Offaly were unable to fill, as resurgent Wexford came at their opponents with all guns blazing.

Offaly could never recapture their first-half splendour and only managed to score two points on the turnover, one from midfielder Barry Whelehan and the second from brother Brian who converted a free.

On the other side, Codd could now do no wrong and his spectacular efforts allied to those of the Jacob brothers, Rory and Michael, brought Wexford level at 1-12 to 0-15 in the 55th minute.

For only the third time in the game, Wexford took the lead when Michael Jacob pointed what was to ultimately prove to be the most decisive score of all in a Leinster semi-final that will be etched in the memory of all those privileged to have witnessed it for many a long day to come.

Scorers for Wexford - P. Codd 0-7 (0-5 from frees; 0-2 from 65s), M. Jordan, R. Jacob 0-2 each, R. McCarthy, B. Goff, C. McGrath, M. Jacob, D. Fitzhenry (pen.) 0-1 each.

Offaly - R. Hanniffy 1-1, G. Hanniffy, B. Carroll, M. Cordial 0-2, D. Murray 0-2 (from frees), Brian Whelehan 0-2 (frees), Barry Whelehan 0-1.

WEXFORD: D. Fitzhenry; C. Kehoe, D. O’Connor, K. Rossiter; D. Stamp, D. Ruth, L. Dunne; A. Fenlon, R. McCarthy; P. Codd, D. Berry, B. Goff; B. Lambert, R. Jacob, M. Jordan. Subs: C. McGrath for Lambert (half-time), M. Jacob for Goff (46 mins.), T. Mahon for Fenlon (46 mins.), M.J. Furlong for Berry (68 mins).

OFFALY: B. Mullins; M. O’Hara, G. Oakley, D. Franks; J. Brady, Brian Whelehan, C. Cassidy; M. Cordial, Barry Whelehan; R. Hanniffy, G. Hanniffy, N. Coughlan; B. Carroll, J. Errity, D. Murray. Subs: S. Brown for Cordial (injured 60 mins.), S. Whelehan for Coughlan (67 mins.), S. Weir for Murray (67 mins.); blood substitute B. Teehan for Oakley; Oakley for Teehan.

Referee: P. O’Connor (Limerick)