Ford on fire in O'Byrne Cup

Mattie Forde was on fire for Wexford today in cold and wet conditions at Bellefield Park, Enniscorthy as the home side got off to a positive start under new manager Jason Ryan by beating Laois 1-14 to 0-14.

Forde hit 1-6 as the Slaneysiders grabbed a deserved O'Byrne Cup first round victory over last season's beaten finalists.

Although Wexford lined out with just four of the starting 15 which lost to Fermanagh in the championship last summer, they still had enough to topple Laois in this game.

The visitors also offered a number of changes with Conor Gorman replacing the retired Fergal Byron between the posts while speculation over the inter-county futures of Tom Kelly and Joe Higgins continues - neither player was named in the Laois panel.

Liam Kearns' charges were keen to start well in this game and held a 0-6 to 0-2 lead after 24 minutes with points from free-taker MJ Tierney and corner forward Donie Brennan paving the way.

Indeed, the energetic Laois forwards forced Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson into making a fine save after just seven minutes following a good movement created by Brennan, but corner forward Paul Dunne was unable to beat the Wexford custodian.

However, sparkles of Wexford's promising talent were now to be seen as corner forward Ben Brosnan kicked-started the home side's revival.

Brosnan's second point of the day came in the 31st-minute, to end a barren 13-minute spell for his side and Wexford continued to tag on points in the closing stages of the half with Shane Roche and defender Colm Morris also on target, as the gap was cut to the minimum.

However Tierney had the final say of the half for Laois with his fourth point ensuring a 0-7 to 0-5 interval lead for the visitors.

Despite extending the gap to three points on the restart, Laois let their composure slip as Wexford took full control and Forde's goal, two minutes into the half, signalled that Wexford were not going to lie down easily.

They did not and the efforts of Forde, Curtis and Brosnan helped the hosts turn the tide - they boasted a 1-14 to 0-12 lead with nine minutes remaining.

Although Laois tried hard to mount a comeback, their good work was all in vain and it was Wexford who advanced to a last-eight meeting with Carlow next weekend.