Offaly edge ahead of Wexford

Offaly 0-16 Wexford 0-14

Offaly opened their win account in the Allianz Hurling League at the second attempt, edging out Wexford by two points in a thrilling finish in Tullamore.

Offaly goalkeeper James Dempsey outdid his Wexford counterpart Mark Fanning as he saved the latter's late 21-yard free as the Faithfuls hung on for a narrow victory.

Wexford were left ruing their failure to make the most of a first half wind advantage. During the opening 35 minutes, they hit eight wides and should have been further in front at the break than 0-10 to 0-6.

Paul Morris did finish with 0-10 (0-7f) for the Model men who had a star man in defence in centre-back Richie Kehoe, but Shane Dooley pointed seven frees himself as the home side came to the fore in the closing quarter.

Early on, another of Wexford's free-takers, Gary Moore, hit a couple of poor wides and two more followed before Ciaran O'Shaughnessy opened the scoring in tough conditions.

Wexford got the scoreboard moving with scores from Kehoe and Rory Jacob while Offaly relied on free-taker Dooley for most of their first half points. Indeed, 25 minutes had elapsed before the Ollie Baker's side pointed from play.

Dooley reduced the arrears to four before the half-time whistle and Offaly resumed in fine fettle with Brian Carroll and Kevin Brady beavering away in midfield and providing a steady stream of possession.

The scores duly came with James Mulrooney, Colin Egan and Dooley all pointing to cut the gap to a single point, just five minutes into the second half. Wexford responded through Morris to lead by three once more - 0-13 to 0-10.

Dooley and Cathal Parlon split the posts as Wexford's lead was cut again to the single point and Joe Bergin pointed Offaly level in the 60th minute following a terrific block by Sean Ryan.

Offaly went on a significant scoring run as substitute Odhrán Kealey's point from a Dooley set-up was followed by two more from Thomas Carroll and Derek 'Del' Morkan.

Morris pared the deficit back to two points and a close-in foul on Rory Jacob set up a dramatic finale as net minder Fanning came up to take the decisive free.

His goal-bound effort was blocked away by Dempsey though and Offaly, thanks to a cohesive second half display, took the spoils.

The Faithfuls have gone third in the Division 1B table ahead of their Bank Holiday Monday trip to Carlow, while Wexford, who are now fourth, host Antrim next Saturday afternoon.

Scorers - Offaly: Shane Dooley 0-7 (0-7f), Joe Bergin 0-2, James Mulrooney, Colin Egan, Derek Molloy, Cathal Parlon, Odhrán Kealey, Thomas Carroll, Derek Morkan 0-1 each

Wexford: Paul Morris 0-10 (0-7f), Rory Jacob 0-2, Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, Richie Kehoe (0-1f) each.

OFFALY: James Dempsey; Chris McDonald, David Kenny, David King; Derek Morkan, Rory Hanniffy, Sean Gardiner; Kevin Brady, Brian Carroll; Colin Egan, Joe Bergin, Cathal Parlon; Shane Dooley, Derek Molloy, James Mulrooney.

Subs used: Paul Cleary for Gardiner (29 mins), Sean Ryan for King (35), Odhrán Kealey for Mulrooney (51), Thomas Carroll for Molloy (59).

WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; Eoin Doyle, Andrew Shore, Bobby Kenny; James Tonks, Richie Kehoe, Andrew Kenny; David Redmond, Harry Kehoe; Gary Moore, Stephen Murphy, Ciaran O’Shaughnessy; Paul Morris, Garrett Sinnott, Rory Jacob.

Subs used: Lee Chin for A Kenny (23 mins), Eoin Quigley for Moore (25), Micheal O’Regan for Murphy (40).

Referee: Shane Hourigan (Limerick)