Wexford’s late goal gives Waterford major scare

Waterford 0-17 Wexford 1-13

A late 67th-minute Conor McDonald goal almost took this south-east derby to extra-time. But a fine Wexford effort just came up short.

Wexford outscored Waterford 1-9 to 0-7 from play, but they were let down by their own indiscipline at the back and some poor shooting.

Wexford led by eight points to two midway through the opening half, but Waterford finally found some rhythm as Austin Gleeson drifted back from an unfamiliar full-forward berth and Tadhg de Burca began to lord it and Maurice Shanahan punished Wexford from frees.

Waterford surged clear in the second half, as Wexford hit seven wides in a row at one stage.

McDonald's goal revived hope, but the league champions hung on to qualify for a semi-final meeting with Limerick.

Teams and Scorers

Scorers for Wexford: I Byrne (0-4 frees); C McDonald (1-0); H Kehoe (0-3); L Chin and A Nolan (0-2); P Morris and S Tomkins (0-1).

Scorers for Waterford: M Shanahan (0-12, 9 frees, one ‘65’); A Gleeson (0-2); Philip Mahony, M Walsh, P Curran (all 0-1).

Wexford: C O’Leary; J Breen, L Ryan, D O’Keeffe; E Moore, P Foley, M O’Hanlon; J O’Connor, I Byrne; A Nolan, L Chin, C McDonald; L Og McGovern, P Morris, S Tomkins. Subs: H Kehoe for O’Connor (33); A Shore for Byrne (54); A Kenny for Nolan (61); C Dunbar for Tomkins (62); D Dunne for McGovern (68).

Waterford: S O’Keeffe; N Connors, B Coughlan, S Fives; P Mahony, T De Burca, S Bennett; J Barron, C Dunford; J Dillon, M Walsh, K Moran; M Shanahan, A Gleeson, P Curran. Subs: T Devine for Curran (46); B O’Halloran for Dillon (51); M Kearney for Bennett (61); S McNulty for Connors (64).

Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).