Sport

Wexford accuracy points way forward

Wexford 1-24 Laois 1-10: WEXFORD’S ACCURACY proved the difference between the sides as they recorded a comfortable win over …

Mon Jun 25 2012 - 01:00

Wexford 1-24 Laois 1-10:WEXFORD'S ACCURACY proved the difference between the sides as they recorded a comfortable win over Laois yesterday. It was no more than they deserved as they set up a final meeting with Dublin. It was their intelligent use of the ball and accurate point-taking from all angles that helped them to such a commanding win.

Ben Conroy had the opening Laois point after four minutes, but one minute later a Tony French free put the sides level. Wexford took a fifth-minute lead through Conor McDonald, a lead they were never to lose. With French, McDonald and Seán Kenny picking off points, they led 0-5 to 0-2, when McDonald after a splendid piece of high fielding turned to crashed home a superb 12th-minute goal for a 1-5 to 0-2 lead.

Laois never panicked, going on to enjoyed their best spell with a fine Aaron Moore goal after 17 minutes hauling them right back into contention, and they finished the half with two PJ Scully pointed frees, but it was the home side who led 1-9 to 1-5 at the interval.

After Conor Devitt had increased the home side’s lead with a point inside 30 seconds of the restart, Scully pointed frees to reduce the deficit to three points, 1-10 to 1-7, after 35 minutes.

READ MORE

Nerves looked to be a factor with Wexford as they were pushed back on defence, but they regained their composure as French (free) and Kenny sent over fine points. After Scully (free) and Jordan Broaders exchanged points, Wexford went on to control the final quarter adding further points through Jack O’Connor, Kevin Foley, McDonald and Kevin Ryan.

WEXFORD: L White; S Doyle, S Murphy, E Conroy; L Ryan, A Kenny (0-2), A Roche; C Heffernan (0-1), C Devitt (0-1); K Foley (0-1), S Kenny (0-2), J O’Connor (0-2); J Broaders (0-2), C McDonald (1-6, one free), T French (0-6, five frees). Subs: P Foley for Murphy; D Shanley for French; J Cash for Devitt; B O’Brien for Broaders; K Ryan (0-1) for Kenny.

LAOIS: E Rowland; S Finan, C Dunne, D Palmer; A McGowan, C McEvoy, G Dunne; C Stapleton, A Corby; D Quinlan, C Dwyer (0-1), B Conroy (0-1); A Moore (1-0), J Campion, PJ Scully (0-8, frees). Subs: C Taylor for McGowan; J Lennon for Quinlan.

Referee: M Flynn (Kilkenny).