Wexford grind out ‘ugly’ win

Wexford 1-12 Clare 1-10

Certainly, in terms of what had happened already this season — a heavy loss to Waterford in the league, beaten again last Sunday, by Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup final — this one meant a lot more to Wexford yesterday than it did to Clare, a fact quite apparent during and after the game.

On the field, Wexford looked far more committed; they hunted in packs, chased and harassed Clare from one end of the park to the other, celebrated as if winning a championship match at the end; off the field, manager John Meyler was as pumped up afterwards as any of his players.

“We won ugly today, really,” he admitted; “I suppose at times it was like watching paint dry but at least we showed heart, commitment, effort. That’s what it’s all about, that’s what I expect of them. We may not be the best hurlers but at least we’re fighting.”

Meyler had every reason to be happy. Though Ennis escaped the worst of yesterday’s weather, the pitch was still under pressure, cutting up badly after all the rain that had fallen earlier in the week; as a consequence there were multiple stoppages for throw-ins, with the ball getting stuck in the turf, making fluid hurling an impossibility.

From the off, it was obvious that this was going to be a real contest and Clare, though playing with the aid of the strong breeze, had to work hard for their 0-3 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes of play, their points coming from winger Tony Carmody and inside men Niall Gilligan and Barry Nugent. Eoin Quigley scored Wexford’s reply.

At that point came the Wexford goal, and a scrappy concession it was. Poor defence, messing around with a ball that could have been cleared to the wing on at least three occasions, ended with burly Wexford wing-forward Stephen Banville picking up one of those breaks, sending a fast ground ball to the unmarked Richie Keogh and the full-forward gave Clare keeper Phillip Brennan no chance from close range.

Banville, in fact, was a real handful, and gave Gerry Quinn a good run for his money. He’s big, strong, awkward, just what the doctor ordered in what has been a lightweight Wexford attack; when he gets fully fit, gains a bit of confidence in his own shooting, this guy will cause problems.

Clare came back and, led 0-8 to 1-3 by the 29th minute but they also had eight wides, to just two for Wexford in the half — and when Carley and Banville each pointed before the break, it left the teams tied, 1-5 to 0-8, with Wexford looking in good shape.

“Really, the first half was crucial, that’s where we lost it,” said Clare manager Tony Considine. “But I said it during the week, they’ve had two quality games to prepare for this. – No disrespect to Down but we had only that game. We have very little hurling done, we hadn’t faced a team hurling like that today.”

In an affirmation of their continuing improving fortunes, Wexford continued in the second half where they had left off in the first, a Rory Jacob point putting them back into the lead. Even when substitute Bernard Gaffney powered home a fine individual goal in the 50th minute to put the home side ahead, 1-9 to 1-7, there was no sign of Wexford giving up the fight — far from it, in fact. From there to the end, the visitors always looked the more likely winners.

Points from Michael Jacob, Paul Carley (two), a fine strike by substitute Mitch Jordan after an inch-perfect pass from Rory Jacob, had Wexford in front by the 62nd minute, 1-11 to 1-10.

Still plenty of time for Clare to salvage something, and driven on from the back by Brian O’Connell and Conor Plunkett, they did create the chances.

Added Meyler: “It’s not just about possession, it’s about converting that possession into scores. We hooked and we blocked and we stopped them, we were in there. We missed a few scores ourselves, but we showed more composure in front of the goals. The last two weekends, against Waterford and Kilkenny, we were picking it up all the time — it was just a matter of getting a win.”

Well, they got it, a win confirmed in the fourth minute of injury-time with a one-handed over-the-shoulder point from another impressive substitute, Robbie Codd, and they deserved it.

What of Clare? No panic, says Tony Considine — look on the bright side. “We played pretty well, but we have a lot of fellas out with injuries — Frank Lohan, Diarmuid McMahon, Gerry O’Grady; we lost Fergal Lynch before the match, Barry Nugent during it, but maybe this is the best time to pick up injuries. We’d hope to improve before we meet Waterford.”

There’s plenty of room for that, on this display.

Scorers for Wexford: P. Carley 0-4 (0-2 frees); R. Keogh 1-0; R. Jacob 0-2; S. Banville, E. Quigley, M. Jacob, S. Nolan, M. Jordan, R. Codd, 0-1 each.

Clare: N. Gilligan 0-4 (0-2 frees); B. Nugent 0-3; B. Gaffney 1-0; T. Carmody 0-2; J. Clancy 0-1.

CLARE: P. Brennan; C. Forde, B. O’Connell, K. Dilleen; G. Quinn, C. Plunkett, A. Markham; B. Bugler, D. O’Rourke; T. Carmody, C. Lynch, J. Clancy; B. Nugent, N. Gilligan, A. Quinn.

Subs: S. O’Brien (Forde 16); B. Gaffney (Clancy inj. 18); J. McInerney (O’Rourke inj. 46); P. Vaughan (Carmody 56); D. O’Connell (Nugent inj. 64).

WEXFORD: D. Fitzhenry; M. Travers, D. O’Connor, P. Roche; C. Lawlor, K. Rossiter, C. Kenny; S. Nolan, R. McCarthy; M. Jacob, E. Quigley, S. Banville; P. Carley, R. Keogh, R. Jacob.

Subs: W. Doran (Lawlor 31); M. Jordan (McCarthy 35); R. Codd (Nolan 46); M. Doyle (Banville inj. 51).

Referee: J. Sexton (Cork). Good job.