Wexford 0-18 Down 1-11: Corkman Seán Murphy's first game in charge of the Down hurling team in Ballycran yesterday proved to be no bad managerial debut.

With 67 minutes gone, the scores were tied at 1-11 to 0-14. But down came the deluge, and, with it, a late Wexford surge which saw Rory Jacobs (two), Michael Jacobs and Stephen Doyle rifle over a late volley of scores to seal a fortunate victory.

Down, starting with wind advantage, had been lifted by the return of veteran Gary Savage, who proceeded to establish himself as the best hurler on the park over the 70 minutes.

With just eight minutes gone, Down were 1-3 to no-score up. Paul Branniff shot two points himself, before soloing through to lay on the only goal of the game for Eoin Clarke. Down led 1-9 to 0-5 at half time.

Wexford raised their game in the second half, but despite points from Rory Jacobs, Des Mythen, Paul Carley and Darren Stamp, they still trailed 0-10 to 1-11 midway through the half.

But as Down tired they closed the gap until sub Stephen Doyle hit the equaliser five minutes from time. And then came the late run of Wexford points.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D O'Connor, K Rossiter; K Kavanagh (0-1), D Ruth (0-1), C Kenny; D Stamp (0-1), E Quigley (0-1); D Mythen (0-2), S Nolan, P Carley (0-1); B Lambert (0-1), R Jacobs (0-6), S O'Neill. Subs: M Jacobs (0-1) for Nolan; S Doyle (0-3) for O'Neill; MJ Furlong for Stamp.

DOWN: R Murray; L Clarke, S Murray, S Rooddy; G Clarke, G Savage, K Courtney; A Savage (0-2), K Coulter; B McGourty (0-1), P Hughes, R McGrattan; E Clarke (1-0), P Branniff (0-4), M Coulter (0-4). Subs: S Clarke for M Coulter; D Flynn for Hughes.

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).