Wexford have too much firepower for brave Carlow

THEY provided one of the most uplifting tales of the summer in Portlaoise a fortnight ago but there was no repeat of that romance for the Carlow footballers in Croke Park yesterday.

Their appearance in a first Leinster semi-final since 1958 ensured there was novelty aplenty surrounding this last four fixture. But hopes they could end the county’s exhausting 66-year wait for a seat at the table on Leinster final day were dashed. Luke Dempsey’s charges fronted up against a Wexford side that were too powerful around the middle, too clinical in front of goal and too focused on ensuring there will be another chapter for their 2011 provincial narrative.

The Carlow faithful swelled the numbers in the stands for yesterday’s curtain-raiser but while the first-half provided its share of cheers, the second-half was a muted affair. Wexford had been in indifferent form before the break, failing to replicate the facets of play that had brought them to this stage. However they emerged for the second-half with the home truths of their manager Jason Ryan still ringing in their ears.