Dublin 2-15 Wexford 1-14:A DOMINANT second-half display saw Dublin deservedly account for Wexford by four points at Croke Park yesterday afternoon.

In truth, the scoreline flattered Wexford to a degree, such was Dublin’s ascendancy throughout the game but a tally of 14 wides over the hour almost undermined their provincial credentials.

That they managed to pull clear towards the end was testimony to the stranglehold that their half-back line had with Eoghan O’Donnell and Seán McClelland both giving exceptional displays.

In a lively opening-half, both sides enjoying sporadic spells of pressure and after Conor McDonald was bundled over at the end of the first quarter, Andrew Kenny drove the resultant free beyond a plethora of defenders for the game’s opening goal.

Crucially, Dublin responded immediately with Seán Treacy firing a low shot beyond the reaches of Oliver O’Leary within two minutes leaving the sides all square at 1-8 apiece at half-time.

The nip and tuck continued upon the restart with Kevin Foley and Cian Boland exchanging scores prior to Paul Winters firing low to the net in the 47th minute following a lengthy delivery from McClelland.

The holders maintained their grip from that point despite the late sending-off of Eric Lowndes.

DUBLIN: C Mac Gabhann; E Lowndes, C OCallaghan, S Barrett; S McClelland, R Murphy, E ODonnell; C Costello (0-1), C Cronin (0-1); C McHugh (0-3), S Treacy (1-1), C Conway; C Boland (0-3), O ORourke (0-1), P Winters (1-5, 0-2 frees, 0-2 65s). Subs: D Gormley for Conway (44 mins), C Bennett for Treacy (51 mins), J Roche for McHugh (61 mins).

WEXFORD: O OLeary; S Doyle, S Murphy, E Conroy; L Ryan, A Kenny (1-3, 1-2 frees, 0-1 65), A Roche; C Heffernan, C Devitt; K Foley (0-1), S Kenny (0-1), J OConnor (0-1); J Broaders, C McDonald (0-5, 0-2 frees) T French (0-3, 0-3 frees). Subs: D Shanley for Heffernan (30 mins), K Ryan for Broaders (35 mins), J Cash for French (51 mins).

Referee: G Quilty (Kilkenny).