Clare 1-20 Wexford 2-20
Two wins out of two for Darragh Egan’s Wexford must have made the long journey home from Cusack Park yesterday much more palatable, following a three-point victory over Clare.
A win against current All-Ireland and League champions Limerick earlier this year was added to in front of a crowd of 2,855 at the Ennis venue. Though the visitors were marginally the better outfit on the day, they needed a late Diarmuid O’Keeffe goal to secure the victory in the end.
The hosts played with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half but because of some wasteful shooting, they trailed Wexford by 1-9 to 1-7 at the break. Eleven wides before half-time from Brian Lohan’s men contributed to the loss but on the other hand their opponents shot ten of their own when wind assisted in the second half.
Clare were first off the mark after a minute of play when free-taker Mark Rodgers slotted over a long range effort. Wexford replied quickly with a 35m free by Jack O’Connor after his brother Rory was fouled in possession by Clare mid-fielder Paddy Donnellan.
The home-side were two points ahead (0-4 to 0-2) by the tenth minute before Wexford added 1-4 without reply in a 15- minute spell. Rory O’Connor notched 1-2, while Jack O’Connor and Conor McDonald grabbed a point apiece during a period of Wexford dominance.
Clare responded with a goal and two points in a four minute spell that saw swift corner-forward Shane Meehan rattle the net after his colleague John Conlon was blocked down twice. Meehan was denied a second close to the break when goalkeeper Mark Fanning parried his shot out for a ‘65.
To make matters worse, Rodgers’ resultant effort was off the target.
Hit ground running
Clare, eager to make up for the way too many misses in the opening period, hit the ground running after the break. They grabbed the second half’s first two opening scores through Donnellan and Rodgers to level matters by the 38th minute before a Mikie Dwyer point restored the Model County’s lead. The sides were level on six occasions after half-time, ensuring a tight and entertaining contest.
When Clare substitute Patrick Crotty landed a good point in the 54th minute, he gave Clare the edge by 1-16 to 1-14. But Wexford hit a purple patch between minutes 56 and 66, recording 1-4 to no reply with O’Keeffe’s goal proving crucial.
They now led by six, with victory in their sights. Clare did tag on a number of late scores but came up short on the day.
Wexford boss Darragh Egan, in his first season in charge, expressed his satisfaction with the win.
“I am definitely happy with the end result. I would say we stuttered over the line. Clare with their wides in the first half – I don’t know exactly how many they had – but we were in a position at half-time that we shouldn’t have been in.
“But look we dug it out and the goal from Dee O’Keeffe was the deciding factor really. We really, really have lots to learn from that game and we have lots to learn throughout February in all our league games. We are happy to have four points on the board heading to Salthill. It’s not going to be easy after their [Galway] performance last night.”
Meanwhile Clare boss Brian Lohan preferred to focus on the positives.
“You’d have to be happy with the work-rate and the responsibilities that the inside line took. John Conlon showed well for his first day back,” remarked Lohan regarding the returning from injury of his most experienced player.
Wexford: M Fanning; S Donohue, L Ryan, M OHanlon; C Flood (0-1), D Reck (0-2), P Foley; D O'Keeffe (1-0), L Óg McGovern (Capt); O Foley (0-1), J O'Connor (0-9, 6f, 1 '65), C McGuckin; M Dwyer (0-1), C McDonald (0-2), R O'Connor (1-4).
Subs: C Dunbar for O Foley (50 mins), N Murphy for Ryan (61 mins), P Morris for McGuckin (63 mins) O Pepper for McGovern (68 mins).
Clare: E Quilligan; R Hayes, C Cleary, P Flanagan; D Ryan, J Browne, D Fitzgerald; J McCarthy, P Donnellan (0-3); C Malone, J Conlon (0-2), R Taylor; S Meehan (1-0), D McMahon, M Rodgers (0-12, 9f, 1 '65).
Subs: P Crotty (0-2) for McMahon (half-time), R Mounsey (0-1) for Taylor (67 mins), S Golden for McCarthy (67 mins), A Shanagher for Conlon (69 mins).
Referee: C Lyons (Cork).
