Relief for Bonnar as Wexford climb out of the mire

THERE was a distinct lack of quality to yesterday evening’s Allianz NHL Division 2 decider in Semple Stadium, but it is results, not aesthetics, that will concern Wexford boss Colm Bonnar.

Twelve months ago Bonnar observed his charges crash and burn against Offaly at a similar stage, which meant they spent this spring appearing at off-Broadway venues and plying their trade against the lesser lights of the hurling world. The vista of a third season in Division 2 was an appalling one for Wexford to contemplate but their greater strength and authority in this clash prevented that scenario from materialising.

Yet it was not until the 72nd minute that Wexford could finally relax, safe in the knowledge the bounties of silverware and promotion to the top-flight of league hurling were secured, when Rory Jacob pounced on a sloppy error by Clare goalkeeper Philip Brennan to bundle the ball to the net. After Eoin Quigley’s enterprising point moments previously, Wexford were four points to the good and if that scoring burst applied some gloss to their eventual winning margin, they were the more assured team in this grim battle.