Model marksman Carley keeps Wexford rolling

PAUL CARLEY’S early second-half goal proved crucial in determining this highly competitive Allianz NHL game at Wexford Park yesterday, which sees John Meyler’s team sharing leadership of the group with three other teams.

A combination of dogged defending and the failure of Rory Jacob to find the net from three goal chances kept Offaly in touch, but two late points hit by Eoin Quigley sealed Wexford’s victory.

Understandably, Meyler was delighted.

“At times, we looked like we were going to run away with the game in the second half, but in fairness the Offaly full-back line kept the ball in,’’ said Meyler. “We are improving bit by bit. We hit 16 wides against Waterford but it wasn’t our commitment or our effort that was at fault.’’

Offaly boss John McIntyre had to make three changes from the selected line-up, after 20 minutes he made two further changes before the team was hit by the forced withdrawal of centre-forward Joe Bergin after he scored their only goal. Adamant that the team has a future ‘despite a lot of people giving up’ on Offaly hurling, he commented: “the injuries made a tough situation more difficult.

“There are no excuses. We are not into the blame game. I am not going to have a pop at the referee. I am not going to torture myself or the team management or the players about what might have been or what we could have done. The harsh reality is that we lost a game we would have been hoping to win.’’

Wexford opted to play against the wind in the first half and the decision was vindicated when they ended the half only three points in arrears (having done very well to actually lead by three points in the 24th minute). With the late changes all in defence, it wasn’t entirely surprising that Offaly were slow to start and, in spite of their wind advantage, the first score fell to Wexford. It came in the ninth minute, from a superbly struck sideline ball by Diarmuid Lyng, who made a vital contribution at midfield.

Offaly competed well in defence, with Kevin Brady in particular bettering Eoin Quigley most of the time. However, they were decidedly weak in attack, apart from Bergin. And, he showed he had the beating of a dominant Doc O’Connor at full-back by getting the goal in the 29th minute after being switched in on him. However, he was injured in the act of scoring and had to leave the field shortly afterwards.

It was a serious blow to the Midlanders, who depended mainly on Rory Hanniffy and Brian Carroll on the right flank but made limited progress because of the consistency of the Wexford backs — with Keith Rossiter impressing in the centre. And, further forward, newcomer Stephen Banville was showing up very well on the left flank, with Carley and Rory Jacob both lively in the corners.

Offaly were out of luck when a good move in the 34th minute involving substitutes Alan Egan and Cathal Parlon was foiled by O’Connor. However, it earned them a 21-yard free which Carroll took and was diverted outside for a 65, which he converted. At the break it was 1-6 to 0-6.

Wexford made the better start to the second half, drawing level within seven minutes with a pointed free from Carley and points from play by the two Jacobs. Rory Hanniffy, who was to emerge as one of Offaly’s better forwards, regained the lead briefly before Carley goaled in the 45th minute with a neat flick.

The psychological boost it gave Wexford was more important than the actual fact of taking a two points lead and it was to be mirrored in more confident play throughout the field.

In another ten minutes they had doubled their lead, despite good work by Rory Hanniffy and a bigger involvement from his brother Gary, along with Brendan Murphy at midfield. But, apart from missed chances, there was little threat from Offaly’s attack.

In contrast, Wexford created a succession of openings, some of which they converted to stretch their lead. But, apart from Carley failing to rise the ball from a 57th minute penalty, Rory Jacob took a point when he had the chance to goal, kicked wide and then failed to connect with a cross from substitute Darren Stamp.

Most noticeably, however, a lot of ball hit deep into their attack yielded little or no return, with Paul Cleary very solid at full-back for the visitors and Brady continuing to do good work apart from times when he allowed Quigley to score in some style.

* Seamus Roche refereed firmly, without needing to impose his authority on the teams.

Scorers: Wexford: P. Carley 1-3 (0-2 frees); E. Quigley 0-5; R. Jacob 0-4 (0-1 free); S. Banville 0-2; D. Lyng (sideline) and M. Jacob 0-1 each. Offaly: J. Bergin 1-1 (0-1 free); R. Hanniffy 0-3; D. Franks, P. Cleary (free), B. Carroll (‘65), B. Teehan D. Molloy, A. Egan (free) and G. Hanniffy 0-1 each.

WEXFORD: D. Flynn (capt.); M. Travers, D. O’Connor, P. Roche; W. Doran, K. Rossiter, C. Kenny; S. Nolan, D. Lyng; M. Jacob, E. Quigley, S. Banville; P. Carley, R. Kehoe, R. Jacob.

Subs: R. Codd for Kehoe (50th minute); D. Stamp for Nolan (51st); R. McCarthy for Banville (53rd).

OFFALY: S. O’Connor; T. Corcoran, P. Cleary, M. Verney; D. Hoctor, K. Brady, D. Franks; B. Teehan, B. Murphy; R. Hanniffy, J. Bergin, G. Hanniffy; B. Carroll, D. Molloy, E. Bevans. Subs: G. Oakley for Hoctor and A. Egan for Bevans (21st minute); C. Parlon for Bergin (injured, 29th minute); K. Kelly for Carroll (61st); J. Rigney for Molloy (65th).

Referee: S. Roche (Tipperary).