Damian’s defiance guides Wexford home

Wexford 2-12 Offaly 1-11

Brian Whelahan’s forced departure in the 45th minute marked another huge setback, but while both sides fought out a marvellous second half, ultimately it was Fitzhenry’s acrobatics in preventing two certain goals and making two other vital saves which proved decisive.

Thus, John Conran’s excellently-prepared side brought Wexford victory for only the second time in six finals against the midlanders since 1981, an achievement all the more satisfying for the reason that himself and co-selector Martin Quigley had been on the losing side in three of them.

To the credit of manager Mike McNamara and coach Michael Duignan, Offaly made all the early running. And they stayed in control until the gradual dominance of Darragh Ryan at full-back helped Wexford to settle. They were three points up after only four minutes, but the most significant early moment was a superb stop by Fitzhenry in the sixth minute from Damien Murray - when he went full-length to divert the ball outside the post from Damien Murray.

Eight minutes later he was to deny Brendan Murphy when he stuck out his foot to stop a ground shot, a miss compounded when Brian Carroll hit the rebound wide. Other than that, it seemed Offaly could do little wrong, because they were so composed in defence - where Brian Whelahan was to exert an early - and lasting - influence and looked so much more threatening in attack. But Wexford were given a huge boost when Michael Jacob goaled in the 16th minute - after brother Rory’s angled shot was fumbled by defender David Franks.

By now, Darragh Ryan was in control at the heart of the Wexford defence, and though his colleagues were showing a facility to win more ball, they still found it hard to penetrate. This was partly explained by the role played by Brian Whelahan, “reading” the game so well and being in place to make some valuable clearances. Another key factor was that consistently good covering by the Offaly full-back trio meant that the two Jacob brothers had only limited chances of scores.

Fitzhenry made his third intervention in the 20th minute, stopping a shot from Michael Cordial and then regaining possession after Darragh Ryan fumbled the ball. The added importance of that save was that three minutes later Barry Lambert pointed a free to put Wexford in front for the first time.

At half-time, Offaly were deservedly in front - but the margin was just a single point, 0-8 to 1-4. Frustratingly for them, Fitzhenry again foiled a goal from Murray’s penalty attempt in the 31st minute.

As the second half begun, there were signs of improvement in Doc O’Connor’s play and a more involved role for Declan Ruth in the centre, alongside the consistent Rory McCarthy and John O’Connor. Points from Lambert (free) and Quigley had Wexford ahead for the second time before disaster struck for Offaly when Whelahan aggravated a hamstring problem when he overstretched to get in a tackle on the ground. Around the same time, Wexford brought in last year’s captain Paul Codd at right half-forward and the combination of an important contribution from him and more prominent play from Quigley further accentuated Whelahan’s loss.

For the first time, Wexford could sense that they were in a position to launch a serious bid for victory. And a well-taken Paul Carley goal in the 51st minute - followed by a score from a revitalised Adrian Fenlon - seemed to confirm that view when they went five points clear.

Offaly finally goaled through Gary Hanniffy a minute later but Wexford were not going to be denied - thanks, primarily, to Fitzhenry’s magic.

* Ger Harrington’s refereeing was excellent. He was firm and decisive and easily established his authority - with the assistance of both teams, it should be acknowledged.

Scorers: Wexford - P. Carley 1-1 (0-1 free); M. Jacob 1-0; E. Quigley 0-3; B. Lambert 0-3 frees; R. Jacob and P. Codd 0-2 each; A. Fenlon 0-1. Offaly: D. Murray 0-4 (0-3 frees); G. Hanniffy 1-0; B. Carroll 0-2; R. Hanniffy, M. Cordial, C. Cassidy (free), B. Murphy and Barry Whelahan 0-1 each.

WEXFORD: D. Fitzhenry; M. Travers, D. Ryan, D. O’Connor; R. McCarthy, D. Ruth, J. O’Connor (capt.); A. Fenlon, T. Mahon; B. P. Carley, E. Quigley, B. Lambert; M. Jordan, M. Jacob, R. Jacob. P. Codd for Lambert (54th minute); C. McGrath for Jordan (57th).

OFFALY: B. Mullins; B. Teehan, G. Oakley, D. Franks; C. Cassidy, Brian Whelahan, N. Claffey; M. Cordial, Barry Whelahan; G. Hanniffy (capt.), R. Hanniffy, B. Murphy; B. Carroll, J. Brady, D. Murray. Subs: N. Coughlan for Brian Whelahan (injured, 45th minute); S. Brown for Carroll (62nd); D. Hayden for Brady (66th).

Referee: G. Harrington (Cork).