Wexford seal promotion with handsome win over neighbours Wicklow

Ben Brosnan of Wexford. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Division 4: Wexford 0-20 Wicklow 0-12 

WEXFORD blew Wicklow away with eight points to spare to ensure promotion from Division 4.

Wexford showed real appetite for the game as they dominated proceedings for the most part, with Wicklow leaving themselves with a real mountain to climb if they are to sustain a promotion bid in their final games.

While Wicklow will be disappointed with their display, Wexford - with a composed show of open football - will be quite happy as they remain the only side with a 100 percent record in the league.

Wexford swept into a four-point lead inside the opening eight minutes through Sean Ryan, Ben Brosnan, and a Shane Pettitt two pointer, with Wicklow having to wait until the  10th minute for their opening score, a Joe Prendergast point.

After Mark Rossiter had extended Wexford's lead, the sides went on to exchange points through John Paul Nolan, with a two-point free, and Paraic Hughes.

Wexford, having started well, maintained the momentum with Pettitt on target with a further two pointer from play, while a Ben Brosnan point extended the home side's lead to 0-9 to 0-3.

Showing a great ability to retain possession as they utilised the open spaces, Wexford keeper Daragh Brooks got in on the scoring act with a two-point free, with Christopher O'Brien and Kevin O'Grady exchanging points leaving Wexford with a commanding 0-12 to 0-4 interval lead.

By this stage, it was evident that Wexford were going to control the game. Within two minutes of the restart, Eoin Porter extended the lead with a neat point, while Mark Rossiter added a further point leaving them comfortably 0-14 to 0-4 in front.

Looking the fitter and sharper outfit, Wexford were in control, although Wicklow responded with points through Dean Healy and Eoin Darcy to reduce the deficit to 0-14 to 0-6 after 44 minutes.

Throughout the game, the Wicklow defence found it difficult to contain the home attack as they continued to pick off fine points through Kevin O'Grady, Ben Brosnan and a Darragh Brooks two-pointer, leaving them in a comfortable position entering the closing 10 minutes.

Wicklow tried to get back into the game but their attack lacked real penetration with Kevin Quinn pointing two frees, while defender Joe Prendergast also found the target. 

While they finished out the game with points from Christopher O'Brien and Kevin Quinn, free, it was too little too late, as Wexford had emptied their bench at that stage.

Scorers for Wexford: D Brookes 0-4, 2 Tpf; S Pettitt 0-4, 2 Tp; B Brosnan 0-3, 2f, K O'Grady, G Malone 0-2 each; P Hughes, N Hughes, E Porter, M Rossiter, S Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wicklow: K Quinn 0-3 frees; J P Nolan 0-2, 1 Tp; C O'Brien, J Prendergast 0-2 each; D Healy, M Kenny, E Darcy 0-1 each.

Wexford: D Brooks; MFurlong, G Sheehan, M O'Connor; E Porter, P Hughes, G Malone; T Byrne, N Hughes; E Nolan, S Pettitt, M Rossiter; K O'Grady, B Brosnan, S Ryan. 

Subs: L Coleman forRyan (ht); C Walsh for Byrne (44); D Furlong for Brosnan (59), LK O'Connor for Porter (65).

Wicklow: C Fitzgerald;' T Moran, C Maguire, M Stone; J Prendergast, P O'Keane, M Nolan; D Healy, P O'Toole; J P Nolan, C O'Brien, M Kenny; A Maher, K Quinn, E Darcy. 

Subs: C Deering for Maher (18), C Fee for Kenny (47), A Arslan for O'Brien (59), C Baker for Nolan (63), O McGraynor for O'Toole (63).

Referee: D Hickey (Carlow).