Leinster SHC Final/Wexford 2-12 Offaly 1-11: Compared to the epic in Thurles a week ago yesterday's Guinness Leinster hurling final was more melodrama than grand opera but it was exciting and colourful with the plot open-ended until the whistle. Some of the defending was excellent but the standard of shooting never came near the high art of last week's first half, writes Seán Moran in Croke Park
Wexford's much-improved second-half display deservedly earned the county their 20th provincial title and a place in next month's All-Ireland semi-finals.
But underdogs Offaly will be able to compile a lengthy manifest of frustration and regrets to take on their journey to play Clare in the qualifiers. In the first half they comprehensively outhurled their opponents and but for an exhibition of shot-stopping by Wexford goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry, Offaly would have been a disappearing dot on the horizon by the interval.
Then 10 minutes into the second half, Offaly shipped a debilitating knock when Brian Whelahan, whose crafty play and precise use of the ball had both calmed the defence and supplied the attack, picked up an injury and had to be replaced.
It might be said that Whelahan's influence came at a cost with Quigley roaming wide and free to pick up his three well-taken points largely in isolation but there would have been little point in the veteran defender undermining his own game to chase shadows around the field.
Not alone was Whelahan a loss at the back but the ultimate running repair saw Rory Hanniffy switched out of the forwards to centre back and although the latter had endured a low-key first half, he was certainly missed as Offaly tried to chase the game in the closing minutes.
Only a point adrift at half-time, Wexford responded magnificently after the break. Throughout the all-too-frequent doldrums years that have passed since the county last won silverware the team's defence, at least, has been a decent platform on which to build.
Yesterday it was more than that. The half backs - Declan Ruth in another towering display well supported by Rory McCarthy and captain John O'Connor - brought down a strawberry curtain to smother Offaly's attacks and disrupt to the point of elimination any serviceable supply to the dangerous inside forwards.
What did get through was capably contested by an equally efficient full-back line and the only moment of lost concentration was the sloppy defensive work that allowed Gary Hanniffy keep alive Offaly's hopes with a goal in rapid response to Wexford's second, from Paul Carley, at the end of the third quarter.
Otherwise, Offaly's forwards failed to score from play in the whole of the second half.
Farther afield there was plenty more to please the winners. Adrian Fenlon had a thunderous game, perhaps his best since the defeat of Limerick three years ago, and although there was some successful sniping by Barry Whelahan and Michael Cordial, Fenlon was the dominant influence in the middle.
It's partly a comment on some excellent hurling by Offaly's full backs that the dangerous Wexford inside line, so effective against Kilkenny, was restricted to 1-2 for the afternoon - the goal a give-away - but they were also on short rations with surprisingly little ball making its way in to Rory and Mick Jacob.
Although John Conran and his team will be thrilled by the acquisition of a first Leinster title in seven years, sober reflection will raise a few hairs on the back of Wexford necks. They struggled to recapture the zip that undid champions Kilkenny and it was Offaly who showed the livelier inclinations from the start.
It was known that the midlanders were well equipped to stand up to the fast, controlled pinball game that Wexford unleashed to such unexpected effect three weeks ago and they quickly set about disrupting any attempt at reproducing that.
Three quick points emphasised that Offaly were not going to hover nervously as spectators waiting for the fireworks to start. Rory Hanniffy, Brendan Murphy and Brian Carroll each scored without reply from Wexford.
Under pressure, Wexford had their first reprieve in the sixth minute when Fitzhenry blocked Damien Murray's shot for a 65, which Colm Cassidy hit wide.
The next interventions came quickly. At the end of the first quarter Brian Whelahan placed a pinpoint ball into Joe Brady, who flicked it into the path of Murphy, whose kick at goal was deflected by Fitzhenry.
Moments later Cassidy's second 65 came back off the crossbar and after a scramble Gary Hanniffy was wide.
Immediately from the puck-out Tomás Mahon moved the ball to Rory Jacob. His shot across goal was intercepted by David Franks, who spoiled a top-class performance by losing possession for Mick Jacob to clip the spilled ball into the net.
Undaunted, Offaly kept coming but Fitzhenry's goal was impenetrable. Cordial should have gone for a point in the 22nd minute and his shot at higher things was saved. Adding to their frustrations was the inability to make more of the hassle Joe Brady was causing at full forward. The big converted defender struggled to capitalise on his own work but so did his colleagues.
A good chance to put some distance between the sides came with a 31st-minute penalty when Murphy was deemed to have been fouled by McCarthy. Murray rapped his shot too close to Fitzhenry and the in-form keeper barely had to do more than lift his hurl.
Nonetheless, Offaly led at half-time, 0-8 to 1-4, and the question was could they maintain the pressure or would Wexford wake up and make them bitterly regret the litany of squandered chances.
Wexford swiftly reclaimed the lead and in the 52nd minute, appeared to have settled the issue. Mahon again was involved, his floating ball batted down by Carley, who flicked it up and ran in on goal before hitting the ball neatly across Brian Mullins's goal and into the net for a four-point lead, which Fenlon extended to 2-8 to 0-9.
Gary Hanniffy's reply came within two minutes but thereafter attacks were nervous and defences on top with a couple of eye-catching flicks by Barry Teehan, which defused dangerous approaches by Rory Jacob and Chris McGrath.
Paul Codd came on for Wexford and shot a couple of excellent points and generally gave the impression he's more comfortable in a supporting role than carrying the entire focus of Wexford's attack.
Offaly couldn't break the two-point barrier for more than a few seconds and in injury time Wexford stuck on a couple of points to give the scoreboard a more comfortable look for posterity.
WEXFORD: 1. D Fitzhenry; 2. M Travers, 3. D Ryan, 4. D O'Connor; 5. R McCarthy, 6. D Ruth, 7. J O'Connor (capt); 8. A Fenlon (0-1), 9. T Mahon; 12. P Carley (1-1, 0-1 free), 11. E Quigley (0-3, frees), 10. B Lambert (0-3, frees); 13. M Jordan, 14. M Jacob (1-0), 15. R Jacob (0-2). Subs: 22. P Codd (0-2) for Lambert (45 mins), 21. C McGrath for Jordan (57).
OFFALY: 1. B Mullins; 2. B Teehan, 3. G Oakley, 4. D Franks; 6. N Claffey, 5. Brian Whelahan, 7. C Cassidy (0-1); 8. M Cordial (0-1), 9. Barry Whelahan (0-1); 11. G Hanniffy (1-0), 10. R Hanniffy (0-1), 14. B Murphy (0-1); 13. B Carroll (0-2), 12. J Brady, 15. D Murray (0-4, frees). Subs: 17. N Coughlan for Brian Whelahan (45 mins); 23. S Brown for Carroll (62), 22. D Hayden for Brady (66).
Referee: G Harrington (Cork).
