Lehane: Goals gave us momentum

Cork’s star man on Saturday night, Conor Lehane, said the goals his side notched in a dominant first-half were crucial to their win over Wexford. Lehane himself grabbed the first and he created the second for full-forward Seamus Harnedy.

“It’s the same in any game, any time you have a chance for a goal you take it. They’re heartbreaking for the other team, they give you momentum, the crowd gets behind you.

“We had a good first-half, the wind is a huge factor no matter what you say. We knew we had to keep our heads for that part of the game - they made a run but thankfully we came out on top.

“When you have the wind the ball will travel a lot further when you shoot. If you’re on target at all it’s going to go over. But in terms of keeping your composure, you’ve to make sure as many shots as possible go over.

“There’s no rest, though, it’s back out again next week, so we have to drive on in training for the next day.”

Meanwhile, Liam Dunne was stressing his keenness to stay on as Wexford manager.

“Hurling is my life. Last year I got two years if I wanted it, I have another year next year if I want it. Diarmuid Devereux (Wexford County Board chairman) is the boss and if he wants Liam Dunne to stay to the end of 2016 I’d be more than willing to do that.

“JJ Doyle is doing great work with the U21s, they’re in a Leinster final this week and our best U21 team is coming next year, of all of those teams. If the county board, or Diarmuid, want me to stay on, I’ll stay on. If not I’ll cut the grass like the rest.”

Dunne paid tribute to his team but admitted that Cork’s opening flourish made it hard for his men.

“It was going to be difficult with the start Cork got. They’re only human beings in that dressing-room and they got a fair drumming two weeks ago. There was a bit of soul-searching.

“We need everybody firing on all cylinders. We don’t have that strength in depth. If two or three of your better players aren’t firing on all cylinders, we’re in a little bit of trouble.

“We were opened up in the first half. We made substitutions and in fairness to the guys who came in I thought they did well, which is no disrespect to those who started, but we win together and we lose together. We lost to the All-Ireland champions, we’ve lost to Cork, who are the Munster champions and were in the national league final.

“You’re in it one week and you’re gone the next week. It’s been four years of a lot of hard work, and I’ve got huge commitment from the players.”