Minor hurlers pip the Lilywhites
WEXFORD KILDARE 3-10 1-15 WEXFORD’S EXTENDED squad dug deep in difficult conditions to taste victory in their final group game in the Leinster Minor hurling league in Hawkfield on Saturday.
In misty drizzle, with the wind aiding, Eamonn Scallan’s side went looking for the five-point victory that would have seen them leapfrog Kildare and book a semi-final spot.
The hosts opened the scoring with a couple of points but Wexford hit back when Chris Turner’s free was deflected to the net by Sam Wall. The sides went nip-and-tuck, point-for-point, through the half with Turner and Ciarán Tobin casually exchanging frees.
The Slaneysiders were enjoying more of the ball, and of the chances, but were a little more wasteful than the Lilywhites. Yet four minutes before the break the visitors grabbed a second major when Ross Banville flicked to the net from close range.
Wexford led by 2-5 to 0-4 after the goal but Kildare blitzed back before the break. After three points in a row, the home side hit the net through Brian Tobin to leave the game right in the balance at the interval.
Playing with the breeze, Kildare upped the tempo at the beginning of the second-half and moved two points ahead by the 44th minute. However, after Sam Wall’s shot was saved, Banville followed up to net for the second time to make it 3-8 to 1-13 in the victors’ favour.
That Wexford advantage increased to three by the 59th minute but Kildare kept fighting. Despite just two minutes of injury time being signalled, the hosts pulled within one in the 64th minute. That was as close as they got and the full-time whistle soon ended proceedings.
While Wexford didn’t do enough to make the semi-finals proper, they did leapfrog Offaly for second place. That means they will now face neighbours Wicklow this Saturday in the last four of the shield.
Wexford: James Henebery; Eoin O’Neill, Ricky McGrath, Michael Cleere; Cathal O’Connor, Michael Kelly, Jack Brazzill; Charlie McGuckin, James Kelly; Eoin Cullen, Ger Dempsey, Eoin Murphy; Chris Turner (0-6 frees), Sam Wall (1-2), Ross Banville (2-2). Subs. - Jeff Tobin, Tom White, Diarmuid Kehoe.
Kildare: Mark Doyle; Eoin Prizeman, Richie Hogan, Aaron Deegan; Paul Hogan, James Dolan, Luca Conroy (0-3); Rian Boran (0-1), Seán Mac Donncha; Ian Blackburne (0-1), Ciarán Tobin (0-7 frees), Liam O’Flynn; Seán Cullen (0-1), Paudie O’Neill, Brian Tobin (1-2).
Referee: Richie Fitzsimons (Offaly).