Lee Chin injury time goal helps Wexford to dramatic win over Offaly

One felt that Offaly had done enough to at least gain a share of the points, but ultimately they will regret not having taken greater advantage of the strong breeze during the opening half.

Sat, 17 May, 2025 - 19:43

Brendan Furlong, Chadwicks Wexford Park

Leinster SHC: Wexford 2-17 Offaly 1-17

NOT for the first time Lee Chin proved Wexford's saviour as his goal deep into additional time helped his side to a dramatic three point victory over a gallant Offaly side in this thrilling Leinster senior hurling championship fourth round game played at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

While Chin had a mixed day from frees he more than compensated as Offaly were battling for a victory that would have salvaged their Liam McCarthy status for a second year, but the midlanders dreams were shattered when the home sides captain found the corner of the net from an acute angle beating Mark Troy with a fierce low drive.

One felt that Offaly had done enough to at least gain a share of the points, but ultimately they will regret not having taken greater advantage of the strong breeze during the opening half, but despite this they still took the game to the model county in the second period, only relinquishing their lead in additional time when sub Conor McDonald not long on the pitch sent over a great point off the wing.

Offaly led the way when Dan Ravenhill pointed two frees inside the opening four minutes, while four minutes later they showed they were up for this challenge when Brian Duignan shook off several challenges in his run to goal before beating Mark Fanning in the home goal with a fine finish to the corner of the net leaving his side leading 1-2 to 0-0.

Lee Chin hit Wexford's opening score, a pointed free one minute later, with the game sparking into life when Kevin Foley showed all his skill to control a ball inside before finishing to the net, reducing the deficit to 1-3 to 1-1.

Meanwhile, the exchanges began to become somewhat heated as both sides brought a real physicality to the game, as Offaly seeking their first victory of the campaign, more than matched their rivals, battling to keep their slim championship hopes alive.

Both sides were creating chances but it was Chin and Duignan who continued to exchange pointed frees but it was Offaly who went in with a four point cushion, 1-10 to 1-6, at the interval.

When everyone expected Wexford to assume control with the stiff breeze on the resumption, Offaly more than met the challenge. As the sides continued to trade points, Offaly still led 1-12 to 1-10 after fifty minutes, but three minutes on a long Cian Molloy point followed by a Jack O'Connor effort had the sides level 1-12 apiece.

After Duignan, play, and Chin, free, exchanged points, Offaly saw Duignan pointed successive frees, to have his side leading, 1-15 to 1-13, with nine minutes remaining.

As the game moved into the closing five minutes the sides were still deadlocked, before a huge Dan Ravenhill point two minutes from the end had the midlanders back in front. A Chin pointed free deadlocked the sides 1-16 apiece, before McDonald point followed by a Chin goal gave the homeside breathing space, leading 2-17 to 1-16, deep into additional time with a Duignan free closing out the scoring in the closing minute, as the home defence held a late Offaly surge in search of the levelling goal.

Scorers for Wexford: L Chin (1-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1, 65), C Byrne (0-2), K Foley (1-1), C Molloy, C Hearne, C Dunbar, J O'Connor, C McDonald, R O'Connor (0-1 apiece).

Scorers for Offaly: B Duignan (1-9, 0-8 frees), D Ravenhill (0-3, 0-2 frees), K Sampson (0-2), R Ravenhill, D Shirley, Daniel Bourke (0-1 apiece)

WEXFORD: M Fanning; E Ryan, S Donohoe, C Foley; C Molloy, D Reck, D Carley; C Hearne, C Dunbar; J O'Connor, K Foley, R O'Connor; C Byrne, L Chin, S Casey.

Subs: C McDonald for Casey (60), M Dwyer for Byrne (66), S Roche for J O'Connor (74).

OFFALY: M Troy; B Conneely, C Burke, C King; R Ravenhill (0-1), D Shirley (0-1), S Bourke; C Spain, K Sampson (0-2); O Kelly, B Duignan (1-9, 0-8 frees), Daniel Bourke (0-1); J Sampson, D Ravenhill (0-3, 0-2 frees), C Mitchell.

Subs: D King for C King (38), J Clancy for Sampson (56), E Cahill for Mitchell (65), E Burke for D Ravenhill (71).

Referee: S Hyrnes (Galway).