French the Wexford ace with 15 point haul

Tony French proved Wexford’s hero as his 15 point haul enabled Wexford to overcome champions Dublin by two points in their Leinster MHC encounter at Parnell Park on Saturday.

Dublin started brightly through Oisin O’Rorke’s third minute goal, but gradually the free-taking of talents of French helped narrow the visitors’ deficit as they trailed 1-8 to 0-8 at the break.

The second-half belonged to Wexford, with Dublin requiring an injury time free from Paul Winters to secure extra-time. But French had the last word with four frees to confirm a deserved win for Martin Storey’s charges.

Scorers for Wexford: T French 0-15(0-13f), S Kenny(2f), J O’Connor 0-2, C Devitt, C McDonald, K Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: P Winters 0-10(0-8f), O O’Rorke 1-1, J Roche 0-3, C Costello, C McHugh, S McClelland(f) 0-1 each.

WEXFORD: O O’Leary; S Doyle, S Murphy, E Conroy; L Ryan, A Kenny, C Heffernan; J Cash, C Devitt; K Foley, S Kenny, J O’Connor; J Broaders, C McDonald; T French.

Subs: P Foley for A Kenny (18), D Shanley for Doyle (61), K Ryan for L Ryan (67), A Roche for P Foley (72), M Redmond for Heffernan (77).

DUBLIN: C Mac Gabhann; S McClelland, C O’Callaghan, R Tierney; T Devlin, R Murphy, E O’Donnell; C McHugh, S Treacy; C Boland, K O’Flynn, P Winters; O O’Rorke, J Roche, C Costello.

Subs: E Smith for O’Flynn (36), F Ó Riain for Devlin (38), C Bennett for Boland (51), J Barrett for O’Donnell (61), Boland for Smith (71), S Ryan for McHugh (79).

Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow).