NHL DIVISION ONE B Wexford 3-18 Offaly 2-20:WHEN THE final whistle sounded, Wexford supporters paused before a huge cheer greeted their dramatic comeback win over shell-shocked Offaly at Wexford Park yesterday.

Nine point adrift, 2-20 to 0-17, with seven minutes remaining, it was last year’s minor star, Jack Guiney, introduced as a half-time sub, who blazed a 21-metre free to the net via the crossbar for a dramatic late winning goal.

Offaly were playing with composure and skill right through the opening 35 minutes. With their half-back line of Derek Morkham, Rory Hanniffy and Diarmuid Horan, continually driving their side forward, they eased into a five -point lead by the 11th minute.

With the sides tied at 0-3 each, Offaly struck for their opening goal after nine minutes. Corner-back Bobby Kenny’s clearance, was blocked and Brendan Murphy raced clear to fire home a splendid goal. Harry Kehoe’s free saw Wexford respond, they were rocked again in the 11th minute, when Joe Bergin combined with Colin Egan who fired the visitors into a 2-3 to 0-4 lead.

Only some splendid point taking from Harry Kehoe keeping the home side in touch but they still trailed, 2-9 to 0-10, at the interval as Shane Dooley punished every defensive indiscretion.

At the start of the second half, manager Liam Dunne introduced three subs. They responded with early points from Diarmuid O’Keeffe and PJ Nolan. Offaly responded with three unanswered points through Brendan Murphy, Sean Ryan and Derek Molloy.

With Shane Dooley and Brendan Murphy replying to Wexford points from Harry Kehoe and Rory Jacob, Offaly still looked comfortable. But Diarmuid O’Keeffe pounced to fire home a rebound after a free was blocked and Offaly were rocked by a Gary Moore goal, when the corner-forward finished a Harry Kehoe dipping 65 to the net. When corner-forward Stephen Wynne brought down Gary Moore Guiney drilled home.

WEXFORD: E Martin ; B Kenny, M O'Hanlon, B Kehoe; K Rossiter, J Leacy, C Kenny; D Redmond (0-2), H Kehoe (0-7, five frees); R Kehoe (0-1), E Quigley (0-2), PJ Nolan (0-2); T O'Leary (0-1), G Sinnott, D O'Keeffe (1-1). Subs: R Jacob (0-1) for O'Leary (ht), J Guiney (1-0, a free) for Sinnott (ht), J Tonks for B Kenny (ht), G Moore (1-1) for R Kehoe (47), E Moore for Leacy (60).

OFFALY: J Dempsey; C McDonald, D Kenny, S Wynne; D Morkham (0-1, free), R Hanniffy, D Horan; J Rigney, C Mahon; S Dooley (0-9, eight frees), J Bergin (0-2), B Murphy (1-2); S Ryan (0-1), C Egan (1-1), D Molloy (0-2). Subs: D Mooney (0-1) for Mahon (46), T Carroll (0-1) for Ryan (60). S Ryan, T Carroll.

Referee: A Stapleton(Laois).