A disastrous second half from Carlow footballers saw them lose a five-point interval lead and eventually lose by four at Dr Cullen Park Carlow yesterday.
In the fifth minute Leo O'Brien cut through the Carlow defence to shoot a fine goal, but by the 13th minute Carlow had recovered to lead 1-4 to 1-1 mainly through the scoring contribution of Ronan Donnelly, who scored 1-1. A 20th minute flare-up saw referee Jim Smith brandish red cards to Carlow defender Brian Farrell and Wexford forward Mattie Forde.
In the 32nd minute a speculative shot from left corner forward Mark Carpenter dropped under the Wexford crossbar for a shock goal which helped Carlow into a 2-7 to 1-5 half-time lead.
But Wexford took complete command in the second half and scored 0-10 to Carlow's lone point. Thomas Howlin and Jim Darcy controlled midfield while Lee O'Brien, Micheal Mahon and Jason Lalor picked off the scores.
WEXFORD: O Murphy; C Morris, P Wallace, P Kehoe; D Breen, J Whelan, B Kavanagh; T Howlin, J Darcy; P Forde, L O'Brien (1-7), M Mahon (0- 4); J Lawlor (0-4), J Hegarty, M Forde. Subs: S O'Shaughnessy for Keogh; M Morris for Kavanagh.
CARLOW: J Clarke; B Farrell, A Corden, V Fleming; J Kavanagh, K Walker, B Hannon; P Nolan (0-1), J Morrissey (0-2); M Dowling (0-1), S Kavanagh, Pat Nolan (0-2); R Donnelly (1-2), J Nevin, M Carpenter (1-0). Sub: A Kavanagh for S Kavanagh; C McDonald, for Carpenter; D Donoghue for Dowling; C Kelly for Cordon.
Referee: J Smith (Meath).
