Gaelic Games

Wexford cruise to victory over Offaly

Dominant Wexford book Leinster hurling under-21 final place against Dublin

Wexford’sJack Guiney: landed nine points, six from frees against Offaly in a in a one-sided Leinster under-21 hurling semi-final at Wexford Park. Photograph: Inpho
Thu Jun 26 2014 - 01:30

Wexford 2-7 Offaly 0-13

Wexford cruised to the most comfortable of victories over a poor Offaly outfit in this one-sided Leinster Under-21 hurling championship semi-final at Wexford Park yesterday evening.

It was Wexford who dominated the opening 30 minutes despite being reduced to 14 players after just eight minutes when corner-back Garret Foley was shown a straight red card following an off the ball incident.

Wexford were leading 0-3 to 0-2 at this stage with points from Aidan Nolan and two Jack Guiney frees, with Offaly having points in between through a Colm Mulrooney free and Joseph O'Connor.

Despite their numerical advantage, Offaly were unable to turn it to their advantage, as the home side took total control.

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Following two quickfire points from a Guiney free and Conor Devitt, full-forward Conor McDonald, having fielded a high ball, found the net with the aid of the boot from close in to give his side a 1-5 to 0-2 lead after 18 minutes.

Wexford’s dominance became more pronounced as the half progressed and the home side had built a lead of 1-9 to 0-2 when Rhys Clarke found the net with a splendid finish to leave his side leading 2-9 to 0-2 at the interval.

Offaly, who had not scored from the fifth minute, were reduced to 14 players a minute into additional time when they had full-forward Seán Dolan sent off following an off the ball incident.

The second half turned out to be a mere formality as the Wexford dominance continued, although Offaly came more into the game in the final quarter. They picked off seven points during that closing spell but it was never going to affect the result. WEXFORD: O Leary; G Foley, L Ryan, E Conroy; A Kenny, S O'Gorman, J O'Connor; A Nolan (0-2), C Devitt (0-1); J Guiney (0-9, six frees), P Doyle, K Foley (0-1); R Clarke (1-2), C McDonald (1-2), G Moore. Subs: D Byrne for Doyle (ht); P Sutton for Foley (40); T French for Moore (49); C O'Leary for Devitt (49); S Donohoe for Conroy 55). OFFALY: K O'Connor; N Wynne, D Kelleher, S Connolly; S Og Lyons, C Doughan, S Gardiner; C Mahon, J O'Connor (0-1); E Nolan (0-3), P Geragthy (0-4), J Sampson; T Geraghty, S Doln, C Mulrooney (0-4, 3 frees, one 65). Subs: S Guinan for Sampson (ht); G Mann for Mahon (ht); A Kelly (0-1) for Mulrooney (49); G Crowe for O'Connor (52); P Mullins for T Geraghty (60). Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny).