Ryan’s last-gasp goal seals dramatic promotion for Wexford
Seán Ryan scored two goals for Wexford after coming on as a half-time substitute against Westmeath. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
So accustomed to such drama with the 'small ball' game, on this occasion it was the turn of the Wexford footballers to provide a late surge and a dramatic winning, and promotion sealing goal 11 seconds from the hooter. It fashioned a thrilling single point victory over favourites Westmeath in this Division 3 game at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
As the game moved towards the final seconds, the visitors' defiance seemed to have withstood a late Wexford push, but as the clock was winding down, sub Cian Hughes, having cut inside the defence, saw his shot for goal blocked, but Sean 'Minnie' Ryan was alert to the situation and he booted the breaking ball high into the corner of the net for a goal that brought the almost 4,000 in attendance to their feet.
The destination of the points was decided, with the hooter sounding before Westmeath had time to resume with the kick-out giving the model county back-to-back promotions for having dug deep into the closing stages they have ensured Division 2 football next season.
"I thought we showed great resolve," said Wexford manager John Hegarty.
"Credit to the players, they battled to the final seconds. At the end it was as dramatic as one could envisage in a game such as this. It was a dramatic way to win a game, but we are delighted with the victory. Successive promotions, overall happy with the win. The crowd was certainly a help, they were behind the side all through, but look, delighted with the players and the performance. We now have a final with Down to look forward to."
Wexford were effectively up against a side earmarked for promotion alongside Down, but it was still a hurdle they failed to negotiate, despite holding a four-point advantage entering the closing minute. A Darragh Brooks two-point free followed by Ryan's winner - his second goal of the game - brought a dramatic closure to this thrilling game.
Westmeath were seeking an immediate return to Division 2, looked set to achieve the victory in the winner take-all showdown, having turned in a fine early second half roared into an eight point lead, 1-16 to 0-11, after 57 minutes leaving the home side with a huge task to get back into contention.
Gusserane clubman Ryan - introduced at half-time as an attacking substitute - fired Wexford's opening goal to hand them a lifeline, but with keeper Brooks having kicked over two two point frees, came Ryan's dramatic winning goal, after Cian Hughes had forced the initial save from keeper Jason Daly.
Both sides teased out the early exchanges, particularly with so much dependent on the outcome. Niall Hughes pointed the home side in front after three minutes, but Brian Cooney and Luke Loughlin responded for the visitors.
The sides continued to trade points as Sean Nolan and Eoin Porter pointed for the model county side, while Shane Allen had the sides level at 0-4 each for the fourth time. The sides continued to trade points but it was the midlanders who took a grip with five unanswered points between the 22nd minute and half-time leaving them with a 0-10 to 0-6 interval lead.
Wexford had struggled to impact the game in the ten minutes leading to half-time, while an early second half two-pointer from Sam McCartan boosted Westmeath, but while Wexford responded with points from Sean Nolan (2), Paraic Hughes and Jack Higgins to reduce the deficit to 0-12 to 0-9 after forty-three minutes. Westmeath were not for relinquishing their lead with Ronan Wallace (2) and Luke Loughlin on target they led 0-16 to 0-10 with twenty minutes remaining.
Westmeath looked to have decided the destination of the points when midfielder Jonathan Lynam drove through the centre to crash home a superb goal, giving his side a 1-16 to 0-11 lead after 57 minutes.
Wexford responded instantly with Ryan driving home a goal from a Liam Coleman cross, while desperate defending denied them two further majors.
A Mark Rossiter free and a pair of two pointers from keeper Brooks, kept the result in the melting pot, with Ryan producing a stunning rebound finish, with the hooter going almost immediately to see out a dramatic Wexford comeback and victory.
D Brooks (0-2, 2, tpf), E Porter (0-1), G Sheehan, L O'Connor; S Doyle, E Nolan, D Furlong; L Coleman, C Kehoe; M Rossiter (0-1 free), P Hughes (0-1), J Higgins (0-2); S Nolan (0-5, 2f), N Hughes (0-2), T Byrne.
S Ryan (2-0) for Byrne (ht), G Malone for Doyle (47), M Kinsella for Kehoe (57), C Hughes for Nolan (61).
J Daly; D Scahill, C Drumm, B Sayeh; M Whittaker (0-5), S Allen (0-1), S McCartan (0-5, 1, tp); J Lynam (1-0), B Cooney (0-1); K O'Sullivan, R Wallace (0-2), C Dillon; T Molloy (0-1), L Loughlin (0-2), D McCartan.
T Baker for Sayeh (26), R Forde (0-1) for McCartan (29), R Connellan for Dillon (42), T J Cox for Molloy (52), B Kelly for O'Sullivan (64).
Sean Longergan (Tipperary).
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