Wexford 0-24 Dublin 2-16

This was a game Wexford won, lost and then won again. A frantic finish saw Wexford find three points, two from the steely nerve of Rory O’Connor, to overturn a late Dublin lead. In what was a dogged battle, Wexford looked to have taken control of when Kevin Foley pointed to give Wexford five point lead with 15 minutes left. A Paul Ryan goal shook Dublin back to life, and they found three points to take the lead and leave Wexford reeling. Wexford then dug deep into their reserves to claw a late win amid euphoric scenes from the home fans.

Wexford’s first game of the new round robin Leinster Championship matched the intensity and pressure of the old knockout system with both teams determined to register a crucial win. Wexford started brightly, taking 0-5 to 0-2 early lead. Dublin’s full forward threat of Liam Rushe, that had torn Kilkenny asunder seven days previously, was nullified by the smart work of Liam Ryan and Shaun Murphy.

The 13^th minute saw Wexford make a crucial error in clearing, ending in Rian McBride scrambling in a goal to level the game. Wexford’s hard-work had been undone. Some questionable refereeing from Colm Lyons that incensed the home crowd, allowed Paul Ryan’s converted frees to keep Dublin close throughout the first half. Wexford were working hard but were missing chances from both wings. The half time score-line of 0-10 to 1-6 was not a fair reflection on the dominance Wexford had shown.

The first 20 minutes of the second half saw Wexford stifle the Dublin attack, outscoring Dublin 0-8 to 0-2, with little threat from the visitors. Kevin Foley and Aidan Nolan excelled at midfield, thriving on the white-hot battle for every ball. Dublin rolled on subs David Treacy and Cian Boland to try and turn the tide but error-strewn defending from Wexford helped jolt the Dublin attack into life. Paul Ryan finished superbly to the net after Wexford had missed multiple chances to clear. Dublin smelled a comeback and the mood in Wexford Park changed in an instant.

Danny Sutcliffe, David Treacy and Liam Rushe scored as Wexford looked like a boxer on the ropes. As injury time neared it looked like there would be only one winner, and the travelling Dublin crowd grew louder. This Wexford team was asked a serious question and when needed they found the answers. Turnovers, tackles and determination saw Wexford win ball in the trenches. A free was won where the 65-metre line met the stand sideline. After a short altercation between the Dublin sideline and both teams Rory O’Connor was trusted with levelling matters. He struck a clean, nerveless free between the posts and the sides were level.

O’Connor was not finished yet. In the 72^nd minute he received the sliotar on his own 45m line, moved forward into a pocket of space in his own half, settled his stance and took aim for the Dublin posts. His shot, straight as an arrow, was roared through the posts, Wexford fans rejoiced in the stands. With Wexford fans calling for the full time whistle Diarmuid O Keeffe took off on a meandering solo run that saw him move the sliotar from his own 65 to the Dublin 21. A hand pass out to Harry Kehoe saw the Cloughbawn man double the Wexford lead, securing a dramatic win. Davy Fitzgerald must have been greatly impressed with the character shown by his team. Kevin Foley, Matthew O’Hanlon and Aidan Nolan were key players in this win for Wexford but it must be highlighted that young Damien Reck produced an outstanding display of all round defending when the game was in the melting pot. Paudie Foley kept the dangerous forward Danny Sutcliffe to few chances. Rory O’Connor scored 0-11 from placed balls in a confident display of free-taking alongside his crucial winning score. Wexford now move on to face Offaly in Tullamore next Saturday where a win would see them in a strong position to qualify from the Leinster group.