John Hegarty happy with Wexford's performance in trying weather conditions

TOP OF THE TABLE: TWO goal Sean Ryan helped keep Wexford's momentum going as they comfortably disposed of a disappointing Carlow challenge in this top of the table Allianz National Football League Division 4 game played at fog shrouded Chadwicks Wexford Park. Pic: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Allianz NFL: Wexford 2-12 (2-1-10) Carlow 0-9 (0-2-5)

TWO goal Sean Ryan helped keep Wexford's momentum going as they comfortably disposed of a disappointing Carlow challenge in this top of the table Allianz National Football League Division 4 game played at fog shrouded Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Ryan, a late call-up to the side in place of veteran Ben Brosnan justified his inclusion with a goal in each half, emerging as his sides top scorer with 2-1, helping the homeside maintain their 100% record with three successive victories, leaving them clear at the top of the table on six points.

Wexford had their tails up from the start completely controlling the opening thirty minutes playing into the heavy rain at the end of which they had built a 1-7 to 0-1 lead, Ryan's opening goal arriving after 15 minutes, when he latched onto an Eoin Porter ball inside the defence to easily finish to the corner of the net.

"The players have adapted to the new rules, using them to their advantage, putting up decent scorelines in all of their three games.

"I thought who played some excellent football tonight given the trying conditions. We are bringing consistency to our games, which is important, now we look forward to another local derby next weekend, this time against Wicklow," said Wexford manager John Hegarty.

But it was an evening to forget for new Carlow manager Shane Curran whose side never really sparked in this game. To add to his woe he also lost defender Mikey Bambrick to a straight red card in injury time having been penalised for a high tackle, a setback he could have done without as they welcome Limerick next weekend.

Wexford got off to a flying start with three points inside the opening five minutes, as Kevin O'Grady found the target, and this after Sean Ryan had opened the scoring, with defender Glen Malone adding a third.

Conditions were difficult leading to some erratic shooting from both sides, with Wexford kicking four successive wides, while Carlow saw two attempts go the wrong side of the posts.

Following Ryan's 15th minute goal, Carlow eventually opened their account with a Darragh O'Brien 25th minute pointed free, at which stage the homeside had kicked 1-5, with Mark Rossiter pointing two frees.

Wexford went on to lead 1-8 to 0-3 at the interval as the visitors could only manage two further points through Ross Dunphy and an O'Brien free.

Carlow showed more urgency on the resumption, with Conor Doyle kicking a two points to reduce the deficit, which was followed by an Aaron Amond pointed free, leaving just five points, 1-8 to 0-6, separating the sides.

A Niall Hughes point resumed normal serving for the homeside after some 50 minutes, for they went on to control the closing 20 minutes, with Ryan finishing to the net from close in, in the thick fog, giving his side a 2-11 to 0-6 lead with seven minutes remaining as they comfortable saw out the closing stages of a disappointing game.

Scorers for Wexford: S Ryan (2-1); M Rossiter (0-4, 1 tpf, 2f); P Hughes (0-3); M O'Connor, G Malone, N Hughes, K O'Grady (0-1 each).

Scorers for Carlow: D O'Brien (0-2 f); C Doyle (0-2, 1 tps); N Hickey (0-2, 1 tps); A Amond (f), R Dunphy, L Walker (0-1 each).

WEXFORD: D Brooks; M O'Connor, G Shehan, M Furlong; E Porter,E Nolan, G Malone; T Byrne, N Hughes; P Hughes, S Pettitt, M Rossiter; K O'Grady, R Brooks, S Ryan. 

Subs: C Carty for R Brooks (HT); D Furlong for Pettitt (50), C Walsh for Byrne (55), L O'Connor for Furlong (62), J Lawless for O'Grady (66).

CARLOW: J Furey; P Regan, M Furey, C Byrne; S Clarke, J Murphy, M Bambrick; I Atkinson, L Brennan; C Doyle, D O'Brien, A Amond; R Dunphy, C Crowley, P McDonnell. 

Subs: N Hickey for Atkinson (55), K Walker for O'Brien (57), K Nolan for Amond (57), C Lomax for Crowley (63), K Murphy for Dunphy (66).

Referee: A Smith (Meath).