Wexford hammer disjointed London in Division 4 opener

 

Allianz NFL Division 4: Wexford 2-24 London 2-6

WEXFORD cruised to the most comfortable of 18-point win over a disappointing London in this one-sided Allianz National Football League Division 4 game at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Having just missed out on promotion last season, Wexford looked hugely impressive under the new rules with their open, fast attacking football cutting through the opposing defence resulting in some excellent scores as they cruised through the 70 minutes.

On the evidence of this showing it could be a hugely difficult league campaign for a disjointed London, who were somewhat fortunate not to have suffered an even heavier defeat.

Wexford manager John Hegarty must have been happy with the way his players adapted to the new playing rules. They enjoyed the ideal start, building a 0-6 to 0-1 lead inside the opening ten minutes.

Sean Nolan opened the scoring with the first two pointer, and with Niall Hughes and Kevin O'Grady picking off excellent long-range points, it was evident from the opening exchanges that Wexford were up for this game.

They built on this early lead with further fine points from Niall Hughes, Mark Rossiter and Eoghan Nolan. London's opening point was a Ciaran Diver free, with the same player adding a further pointed free after 15 minutes. 

Wexford had crept into a 0-9 to 0-2 lead when London gave themselves brief hope of a recovery. After a Diver free had dropped short, Liam Gallagher was on hand to punch the breaking ball to the net, leaving the scoreline, 0-9 to 1-2.

But it was Wexford who showed the superior conversion rate with Mark Rossiter, Niall Hughes, Shane Pettitt and Eoghan Nolan all pointing, while full-back Gavin Sheehan got forward to finish a move to the net, leaving the them 1-15 to 1-2 up at the interval.

At times Wexford totally overran their opponents, as Sean Nolan, Shane Pettitt and Niall Hughes continued to find the target with excellent points.

Wexford had built a 1-21 to 1-5 lead when London responded with a rather fortuitous goal, a 30 metre Ciaran Diver free finding its way to the corner of the net.

But what was to follow was a series of Wexford attacks, with the best score of the game arriving ten minutes from the end as Paraic Hughes soloed some 30 metres through the centre of defence to finish a splendid goal.

WEXFORD: C Feeney; M Furlong, G Sheehan (1-0), M O'Connor; E Porter, Pauric Hughes (1-2), G Malone; T Byrne (0-1), N Hughes (0-5, 1 - 2pointer); E Nolan (0-2), S Pettitt (0-3, 1 - 2 pointer), M Rossiter (0-2); S Ryan, S Nolan (0-8, 5 frees, 1 - 2 pointer), K O'Grady (0-1). 

Subs: S Barden for E Nolan (40); D Furlong for O'Grady (40), C Kehoe for N Hughes (50), J Lawless for Rossiter (61), B Brosnan for Ryan (61).

LONDON: A Walsh; E Walsh, S Taylor, D Rooney; C McKeon, M Moynihan, K Healy; A McLoughlin,L Gallagher (1-0); D O'Flaherty,J Obahor, C Diver (1-4 frees); P Dolan (0-2), S Rafter, S Tucker. 

Subs: C Doran for McKeon (44), H Walsh for Tucker (47), R Rafferty for Rafter (61), M Walsh for Obahor (61).

Referee: SMulhaire (Laois).

ends