Wexford manager Liam Dunne took real satisfaction from his side’s second-half performance as they dominated Antrim in an impressive 12-point victory at Wexford Park on Saturday.
Having led by four points at the interval, Wexford put together a fine second half display as they outscored the visitors 1-8 to 0-3 in what turned out a one-sided period.
Six days earlier Wexford allowed Offaly to slip in for two points with a late rally, but there was no mistaking this time round for Dunne’s charges.
Antrim manager Kevin Ryan was at a loss to explain his side’s second half showing. “We played some fine hurling through the opening half, could have had a couple of more goals with a little luck in front of goal. We would have liked to have gone in with a half-time lead, but their goal within 30 seconds of the restart changed the whole course of the game.”
There was a real flow to the game with a great sting in the hurling, but it was Antrim who got a rather fortuitous goal after just eight minutes into the game. Wexford keeper Mark Fanning caught a long Neil McManus delivery, but delayed his clearance, with the inrushing Shane Casey getting in the block. The ball finishing in the back of the net, giving his side a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.
Rory Jacob was in fine form in the home attack and within 11 seconds of the restart he cut inside the defence to blaze a great ball to the top right-hand corner of the net giving his side a 2-14 to 1-9 lead. Wexford went on to pick off scores at ease with Rory Jacob and Paul Morris particularly prominent.
