Sport

Flynn in fine form

National Hurling League Division One A/ Waterford 1-13 Wexford 0-14: A top-class goal from captain Paul Flynn set up Waterford…

Mon Feb 20 2006 - 00:00

National Hurling League Division One A/ Waterford 1-13 Wexford 0-14: A top-class goal from captain Paul Flynn set up Waterford for victory at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, yesterday. Flynn led by example and contributed 1-6, with 1-3 coming from play.

The goal came seven minutes after the resumption when Jack Kennedy set up Flynn whose first effort was saved, and it broke to Conor Carey who supplied Flynn, who scored from an acute angle.

Wexford held a three-point half-time lead with points from Stephen Doyle, Darren Stamp and Thomas Mahon. It was the home side who had made the better start with midfielder Eoin Kelly opening the scoring from a free. Wexford held a three-point advantage at the end of the opening quarter, 0-4 to 0-1, after Boyle contributed three points from placed balls and Stamp also found his range.

Waterford goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy made an excellent save from substitute MJ Furlong in the 28th minute while earlier, Damien Fitzhenry made a double save to deny John Mullane and Carey at the other end.

READ MORE

Flynn took centre stage on the resumption, scoring 1-3 in the opening 10 minutes, the goal proving to be the game's crucial score. Mahon pulled a point back for Wexford 60 seconds before Flynn's goal but Waterford's lead was stretched when Michael Walsh and John Mullane sent over points for 1-10 to 0-10 lead entering the final quarter.

Mahon again found the range for the visitors before Hennessy denied substitute Seán O'Neill a goal. Wexford should have had a goal in the 56th minute when Michael Jacob got inside the home defence but he shot wide. Eoin Kelly restored Waterford's three-point lead with three minutes remaining before Wexford points from Darren Stamp and Michael Jacob left the minimum between the sides. Flynn eased Waterford nerves when he converted a free deep into injury time.

WATERFORD: C Hennessy; T Feeney, K Moran, D Coffey; B Phelan, J Murray, E Murphy; E Kelly (0-3), M Walsh (0-1); S Prendergast (0-1), J Kennedy, J Mullane (0-2); G O'Connor, C Carey, P Flynn (1-6, 3 points from frees). Subs: E McGrath for O'Connor; P O'Brien for McGrath; S O'Sullivan for Kennedy.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D O'Connor, K Rossiter; D Lyng, D Ruth, C Kenny; D Stamp (0-4), T Mahon (0-4, one free); P Carley, E Quigley, M Jacob (0-2, one free); M Jordan, S Doyle (0-3, two frees, one 65), R Jacob. Subs: MJ Furlong (0-1) for Ruth; S O'Neill for R Jacob; PJ Nolan for Carley.

Referee: J Sexton (Limerick).