Wexford continue giant-killing act

THE presumption that Wexford’s performance against Armagh in the opening round was a flash in the pan was dispelled by yesterday’s shock win over Meath in a rousing Allianz NFL tie at Wexford Park.

Wexford 0-10 Meath 1-5

Playing marvellous and controlled football, Wexford won far more convincingly than the scoreline suggests and are sure l to give unbeaten Limerick a searching test in round three next Sunday. Wexford took the game to Meath from the throw-in, despite playing against the strong wind and deservedly led by three points to nil at the end of the opening quarter.

Inevitably, Meath thundered into the game to be level after 30 minutes. However, Wexford took full advantage following Shane McKeigue's sending off.

Wexford struggled to get out of their own half in the early minutes but in their first attack, Mattie Forde had the game's opening score when he pointed a 13 metre free in the sixth minute. That score settled the home side and Forde, causing endless problems up front, added two more to leave Wexford well on top at the end of the opening quarter.

Meath's tactic of playing the long ball into their forwards suited the Wexford defence where Philip Wallace, Darren Breen and Leigh O'Brien were prominent.

Darren Clarke was brought in to mark Mattie Forde, Joe Sheridan was switched to centre-forward and with full-forward Ray Magee foraging out at midfield all three moves had the desired effect.

Joe Sheridan pointed a 45 for Meath's opening score after 17 minutes and with Magee picking up a lot of loose ball at midfield the scores finally began to flow. Within the next five minutes, Meath were level before Sheridan gave them the lead for the first time with a point.

Wexford were now struggling to cope with Meath's aggressive play and were without a score for 18 minutes before Leigh O'Brien pointed a 40 metre free to tie the scores at 0-4 each. It stayed that way until the break as Meath continued to be wasteful in front of goal, kicking a further three wides.

Wexford lost a great chance of a goal seconds after the restart when Mattie Forde's flick on left Darren Browne with only the Meath keeper to beat but he blazed wide from 12 metres.

Forde's pace and skill finally edged the home side two points clear and after Meath had been reduced to 14 players following the sending off of McKeigue they had the scent of victory.

Wexford's superiority finally told and three points without reply had them comfortably in front at 0-9 to 0-4 with 15 minutes to go. However, when Joe Sheridan fisted home a goal, Wexford got edgy. To make matters worse for the home side they lost defender Niall Murphy for a second yellow card offence. Leigh O'Brien's point from a 40 metre free eased the pressure with five minutes remaining.

Scorers: Wexford: M. Forde (0-5, 0-3 frees), L. O'Brien (0-2 frees), J. Hudson, D. Browne, D. Breen (0-1 each). Meath: J. Sheridan (1-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 45), R. Magee (0-2 0-1 free), D. Byrne (0-1).

WEXFORD: J. Cooper, C. Morris, P. Wallace, N. Murphy, G. Sunderland, D. Breen, L. O'Brien, W. Carley, D. Fogarty, G. O'Grady, J. Hudson, K. Kennedy, S. Doran, P. Colfer, M. Forde. Subs: D. Browne for Fogarty, A. Morrissey for Hudson, D. Foran for Doran.

MEATH: D. Gallagher, T. O'Connor, A. Moyles, M. O'Reilly, S. Kenny, D. Fay, H. Traynor, N. Crawford, M. Ward, N. Kelly, S. McKeigue, D. Byrne, B. Dillon, R. Magee, J. Sheridan, Subs: N. Nestor for Kelly, B. Farrell for Dillon, J. Cullinane for Ward, D. Regan for Byrne, D. Clarke for Kenny.

Ref: F. Barrett (Kildare).