Wexford 3-7 Sligo 1-6:WEXFORD WERE always the superior force at Wexford Park yesterday. Sligo led once in a free-riddled game and that after two minutes when Martin Breheny pointed a free, but one minute later Wexford's Ciarán Lyng converted penalty after goalkeeper Philip Greene was penalised for a foot block.

Two Shane Roche points stretched the home side’s lead, but two David Kelly points, one a free, gave Sligo a lifeline. However they struggled for scores as the Wexford defence was on top of their game. Wexford maintained control into the breeze to lead 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval.

Ben Brosnan’s goal gave Wexford a 2-6 to 0-6 lead and Daithi Waters punched a 60th-minute goal before Alan Costello’s late consolation goal for Sligo.

WEXFORD: A Masterson; J Wadding, D Walsh, B Malone; N Murphy, D Murphy, A Doyle; E Bradley (0-1), D Waters (1-0); P Naughter, R Barry, A Flynn; C Lyng (1-1, one pen, one free), S Roche (0-4, two frees), B Brosnan (1-1, one free). Subs: C Byrne for Naughter (52); D Kehoe for Wadding (70).

SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donovan; N Ewing, M Quinn, J Davey; E Mullen, T Taylor; A Costello (1-0), M Breheny (0-3, frees), F Quinn; S Coren, D Kelly (0-3, two frees), S Davey. Subs: S Gilmartin for Mullen (32 mins); G Gaughan for Breheny (47 mins); S Stenson for Davey (59 mins); K Cawley for Harrison (62 mins).

Referee: D Brazil (Offaly).