Wexford 2-17 Offaly 0-16: STEPHEN BANVILLE struck for two goals, one in each half, to help earn Wexford victory over Offaly at Wexford Park on Saturday evening and secure a Leinster hurling championship semi-final place.
Banville, who only made the game after having a proposed four-week ban overturned on appeal, following the Division Two league final defeat to the midlanders, certainly made his presence felt, with both goals arriving at crucial stages of the game.
Wexford, who reshuffled their midfield and attack before the throw-in, put the absence of six regulars to one side, as they carried a very physical approach to the opening stages.
Debutant Tomás Waters was yellow-carded inside two minutes, following a heavy frontal charge on centre back Ger Oakley, which saw the big defender having to retire briefly with a blood wound.
But during the opening 10 minutes Offaly looked sharper, moving into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.
Banville then struck for his opening goal in the 12th minute when he beat goalkeeper Brian Mullins at his near post from 20 metres.
Diarmuid Lyng quickly tagged on a point to put Wexford in front but quick points from Brendan Murphy, Shane Dooley and Joe Bergin edged Offaly 0-6 to 1-2 in front by the 17th minute.
The remainder of the half was scrappy while a superb block by David Franks denied Waters a goal just before the break, leaving the sides level, 1-6 to 0-9, at the interval.
On the resumption Wexford hit Offaly for six unanswered points through David Redmond, Andrew Shore, Lyng (three frees) and Waters to lead 1-12 to 0-9 by the 49th minute.
Offaly had to wait until the 52nd minute for their opening second-half score, a Dooley point, while in between the real turning point in the game came in the 44th minute when Malachy Travers saved a Dooley penalty after Joe Bergin had been fouled.
Wexford were now controlling matters building a 1-16 to 0-11 lead with 12 minutes remaining. Offaly fought back with points from Kevin Brady, Dooley, Rory Hanniffy, Bergin and Carroll to leave just three points separating the sides, 1-16 to 0-16, with four minutes remaining although Brian Carroll’s effort from a second penalty was blocked.
Then came Banville’s clinching goal one minute from the end.
Wexford manager Colm Bonnar was quite happy with the display. “In fairness in the league final we got off to a very bad start and we had to work very hard to get back into the game. We learned from it and knew once we were in the shake-up at half-time we stood a great chance.
“Offaly looked the more impressive during the early stages but once Stephen Banville got the goal we were very much back in the game. At half-time it was all to play for.
“We got off to a great start in the second half. It was important for us to lay down an early marker and this was what the lads did. They played hugely well during this spell and picked off some fine scores,” added Bonnar.
Offaly’s Joe Dooley lamented his side’s poor start to the second half. “We allowed Wexford build up a lead. They took their scores although they got some simple frees. Wexford got a run going at that time but in fairness to our lads they never gave up battling. We got back within three points and it was only Banville’s late goal that put the game beyond us.”
WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, P Roche, D O'Connor; M Jacob, R Kehoe, C Kenny; P Atkinson, D Lyng (0-7, one sideline, four frees); S Doyle (0-2), T Waters (0-2), R Jacob (0-2); A Shore (0-1), S Banville (2-2), D Redmond (0-1). Subs: P Carley for Redmond (60 mins), W Doran for R Jacob (69 mins).
OFFALY; B Mullins; D Franks, D Kenny, P Cleary; R Hanniffy (0-1), G Oakley, J Rigney; K Brady (0-2), B Murphy (0-2); B Carroll (0-3, two frees), J Brady, D Molloy; S Dooley (0-4), D Currams (0-1), J Bergin (0-2). Subs: C Parlon for J Brady (46 mins), D Horan (0-1)for Currams (51 mins), C / Mahon for Molloy (51 mins).
Referee: J Ryan(Tipperary).
