Rampant Rebels issue timely warning to champions

Cork 1-27 Wexford 0-12

Undoubtedly handicapped by their six weeks lay-off after winning the Leinster championship, Wexford were behind by 12 points at the interval and, but for another outstanding display from goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry, would have suffered a hammering.

In the event, it was still much more than an embarrassing failure, even in mitigating circumstances. Cork taught them a lesson in the finer arts of the game by excelling in all the basic skills and by dominating the play to a remarkable degree. It was as close as to a perfect performance as one could expect, a tribute both to Donal O’Grady’s preparation of the team and to the players for the professional manner in which they set about undermining the Wexford challenge from the opening minutes.