Wexford's greater urgency ensures Walsh Cup progress

Wexford 0-14 Offaly 0-6: Wexford manager Liam Dunne admitted conditions were difficult but he was happy with his side’s eventual eight-point victory over Offaly in their Walsh Cup semi-final played in O’Kennedy Park, New Ross, yesterday.

“I spoke with the referee before the game and told him I would have no difficulty should he have to call off the game. The conditions were horrendous for hurling but we executed our game-plan well.

The urgency in Wexford’s play was evident from the opening exchanges when, backed by a strong breeze, they hit three points inside the opening seven minutes through two Harry Kehoe frees and Shane Tomkins.

Kehoe was having a huge impact in midfield, striking over two excellent long-range points from play, while in between corner-forward David Dunne knifed his way through the defence but Offaly keeper James Dempsey saved superbly.

Kehoe, Aidan Nolan, Lee Chin and David Dunne were on target and an 0-8 to 0-0 lead after 20 minutes didn’t reflect Wexford’s dominance.

Offaly had to wait until the 29th minute for their opening score, a Colin Egan point, their only score from play in the entire game. Shane Dooley added two frees, but the home side led 0-10 to 0-3 at the interval.

Dooley pointed two more frees within 12 minutes of the restart, reducing the deficit to five. However, Wexford’s response was positive, responding with points from the hugely impressive Shane Tomkins and two Kehoe frees. Offaly needed scores but all they could manage was two Dooley pointed frees, while Harry Kehoe fired over the closing score with a 60-meter free off the wing.

Scorers for Wexford:

H Kehoe (0-9, 7 frees); S Tomkins (0-2); L Chin, A Nolan, D Dunne (0-1 each).

Offaly:

S Dooley (0-5 frees); C Egan (0-1).

WEXFORD:

M Fanning; J Breen, M O’Hanlon, A Kenny; A Shore, L Ryan, D O’Keeffe; L Chin, H Kehoe; J O’Connor, A Nplan, S Tomkins; C Dunbar, L Og McGovern, D Dunne. Subs: B Carton for Nolan (inj. 26); A Maddock for O’Hanlon (inj. 40); O’Hanlon for Maddock (55); P Kenny for O’Connor (61); S O’Gorman for Carton (61).

OFFALY:

J Dempsey; N Wynne, C McDonald, P Rigney; J Bergin, C Doughan, P Camon; S Kinsella, J O’Connor; S Ryan, C Egan, S Dooley; J Mulrooney, J Gorman, S Quirke. Subs: J Sampson for Bergin (29); B Conneely for Ryan (inj. 30); S Cleary for Gorman (48); R Hughes for Quirke (60); G Conneely for O’Connor (61).

Referee:

P Burke (Kilkenny).