Wexford 2-25 Kerry 0-8
Wexford gave a lesson to Kerry in what top flight hurling is all about as they outhurled them in the opening game at Austin Stack Park, Tralee and in truth, the scoreline tells the story of the game.
Wexford are simply at a different level than Kerry and though the Kingdom have made vast strides in recent years they came face to face with the reality of top flight hurling as played in the Liam McCarthy Cup and clearly the Kingdom are a work in progress.
Kerry did not help their cause finishing with 13 men having Tom Murnane sent off for a second yellow and then late on full-back Brian Murphy got a straight red as Kerry lost their way but at this stage, Wexford were home and hosed and the final 20 minutes were mere target practise.
Wexford were quickly into their stride as they played with the aid of a strong wind, and they took advantage firing over some early scores as Kerry had difficulty getting to the pace of the game and they were also struggling with the elements.
Brian Murphy was hurling well in the Kerry full-back line as they attempted to keep Wexford at bay but two long-range points from Andrew Shore and another from Aidan Nolan had Wexford five clear but again Mike O’Leary burst through and set up Mike O’Leary for a point. Then came the crucial score of the half in the 14th minute when Kerry were caught in possession 50 metres from goal and a three-man move involving Shore and Padge Doran set up Conor McDonald for a goal that gave Wexford a decisive advantage and McDonald was soon to add a point.
Mike O’Leary was troubling Wexford with his direct running through the heart of the Wexford defence, and in the 20th minute, he drove through before parting to John Egan who rounded the Wexford keeper, but Matthew O’Hanlon blocked Egan’s goal bound shot, with Egan firing the rebound over. This was a crucial turning point in the half because if Kerry had managed to get a goal, they might well have set the cat among the pigeons.
Instead, for the final ten minutes of the half, Wexford fired over a series of points and Kerry had a mountain to climb in the second half despite having the strong wind to their backs.
Harry Kehoe punished Kerry from placed balls while late points from Liam Og McGovern and Lee Chin saw Wexford lead 1-13 to 0-4 at half-time.
Kerry were expected to make some inroads in the second half but despite three points from Shane Nolan, they never threatened.
Mike O’Leary, when he went off, was a big loss to the Kingdom but Wexford simply piled on the misery with Andrew Shore shooting a succession of points, while substittues Ian Byrne and Diarmuid O’Keeffe also got in on the scoring act as Wexford ran out comfortable 23 point winners.
It was a day that Wexford were expected to win but the margin of victory and Kerry’s poor showing will disappoint the large crowd that had turned up early to cheer on the Kingdom.
Scorers – Wexford: A Shore 1-7, H Kehoe 0-6 (0-5 frees, 0-1 '65); C McDonald 1-2, S Tomkins, A Nolan and I Byrne 0-2 each, L Chin, L Og McGovern, and D O'Keeffe 0-1 each.
Kerry: S Nolan 0-5(0-4 frees); J Egan, M Boyle, and C Harty 0-1 each.
Wexford: C O'Leary ; L Ryan, M O'Hanlon, E Moore; A Shore, P Foley, A Kenny; L Chin, E Conroy; H Kehoe, S Tomkins, A Nolan; C McDonald, P Doran, L Og McGovern. Subs: D O'Keeffe for P Doran (49), I Byrne for A Nolan (58), J O'Connor for L Chin (63)), A Maddock for L Ryan (65), K Sheridan for E Moore (65).
Kerry: M Stackpoole; S Weir, B Murphy, K Carmody; D Collins, T Casey, T Murnane; P Kelly, J Griffin; S Nolan, M O'Leary, C Harty; J Egan, M Boyle, J Goulding. Subs: D Fitzelle for S Weir (h/t), D Dineen for P Kelly (40), J Diggins for T Casey (45), P Lucid for M O'Leary (46), J Conway for J Goulding (66).
Referee: J O'Brien (Tipperary).
