Cork take the points as Conran blasts ref

THE contrast between the managers couldn't have been more pronounced at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Cork 2-13 Wexford 0-9

Cork's Donal O'Grady delighted in his side's second NHL victory on the bounce while John Conran lambasted referee Pat Aherne over a number of decisions that went against his team.

"I'm not making any excuses as we were totally outclassed," said Conran, "but some of the referee's decisions were nothing short of disgraceful.

"Cork's first goal should never have been allowed. It came at a time when we were coming back into the game, but it should have been disallowed.

"We were regularly bottled up and fouled but got no free, while Cork got them regularly. But having said that we have to live with these kind of decisions and get on with it.

It's early season and what we are gearing ourselves for is the championship game against Kilkenny on June 13. We went into the game after two very hard nights training on Tuesday and Thursday and maybe that played on the lads," he said. The Wexford coach had a point about Cork's opening goal, as Brendan Lombard had his back turned to the ball as it came in from Michael Byrne's long delivery.

Damien Fitzhenry clearly took his eye off the ball in anticipation of Lombard's challenge and the ball broke lose to the Cork full forward who slipped it home.

It came just on half time and effectively killed the game as a contest as the home side took complete control in the second half to run out convincing winners.

Cork fielded all but one of the team which defeated Limerick in the opening round Mark Prendergast cried off, and was replaced by Wayne Sherlock.

He, along with Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Ronan Curran, Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and midfielder Tom Kenny were superb and the Wexford forwards were forced to live off scraps, of which there weren't many.

Donal Óg Cusack continues a return to his best form, while Aidan Fitzpatrick and Graham Callanan were solid without being spectacular, in defence.

Tom Kenny and Adrian Coughlan won most of the midfield exchanges, and while all but one of the six forwards got on the scoresheet, the real successes were Jonathan O'Callaghan at wing forward and Brendan Lombard at full forward.

Lombard who plays his club hurling as a defender and captained the Cork intermediate team to All-Ireland honours last year from centre back, had an extremely profitable night, scoring 2-1 off no less a full back than Darragh Ryan, one of the few Wexford players to come out of the game with any credit.

Damien Fitzhenry, Keith Rossiter and Malachy Travers kept their end up in defence, Paul Codd had his moments at midfield, but their forwards could make no impression, apart from Mick Jacob who was their only forward to score.

"Two wins from two games, I couldn't ask for more," said Cork coach Donal O'Grady. "There are no easy games in the group, and Antrim will be difficult up there in a fortnight's time.

"We played very well at times, not so good occasionally, but we have no hurling done. It's all physical work at this time of the year for most teams. There's a break of a fortnight now and we'll be working on that aspect of our game."

Even allowing for the lack of hurling practice, Cork's first touch was streets ahead of Wexford's - a point not lost on their coach. "We haven't much stickwork done and it's something we have to work on," said a dejected Conran.

Cork served notice of their intentions after a minute when Brendan Lombard pointed. They stormed into an 0-6 to 0-2 lead after 18 minutes, and led 1-7 to 0-5 at the short whistle.

Wexford's cause wasn't helped by the loss of Mitch Jordan through injury and it was left to Michael Jacob to do the scoring up front.

The visitors threatened to make a match of it with points by Paul Codd and Jacob in the second half but with Timmy McCarthy becoming more influential up front, Cork struck for their second goal 11 minutes in, and it was game, set and match.

McCarthy made a lot of ground before his shot was blocked but Brendan Lombard was in to force the ball over the line to put his side 2-9 to 0-7 in front.

Wexford then lost Declan Ruth with 15 minutes to go, for a straight red card, which was a little harsh.

Scorers: Cork: B Lombard 2-1; J O'Callaghan 0-4 (0-2 frees); T Kenny, T McCarthy 0-2 each; A Coughlan (free), S McGrath, N McCarthy, M Byrne 0-1 each. Wexford: M Jacob, P Codd (0-3 frees) 0-4 each; D Ruth 0-1.

CORK: D Óg Cusack; A Fitzpatrick, D O'Sullivan, W Sherlock; G Callanan, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; T Kenny, A Coughlan; J O'Callaghan, M Byrne, T McCarthy; S McGrath, B Lombard, E Fitzgerald. Subs: N McCarthy for McGrath; E Collins for Fitzgerald; P Tierney for Kenny; K Hartnett for Ó hAilpín.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; K Rossiter, D Ryan, M Travers; D Stamp, D Ruth, M O'Leary; T Mahon, P Codd; M Jacob, J O'Connor, M Jordan; B Lambert, B Codd, R Jacob. Subs: P Carley for Mahon; D Berry for Jordan; B Goff for R B Codd; D O'Connor for J O'Connor.

Referee: P Aherne (Carlow).