Oints to sink champs
Ter hurlers claim another massive scalp
set up Pádraig Foley but the wing-back’s he bar. ensive system broke when Jason Flynn r the easiest point of Whelan duly equalised Kevin Foley and Rory des (1-17 to 0-20). Connor point from a absolutely crucial in d he followed it with r John Hanbury was foul to deny Aidan e. d have wrapped it up er taking a handpass raig, but his low shot m close range was by James Skehill. ng free from distance ween the sides once olan firing a sloppy hoe’s first touch after e point from a Chin -21). cessful free followed, ding Conor McDonald field with the ball on ntually got it to Rory cond point from play most one of the three ed. fifth point, from an arance, heightened ra-time, but that was icked off the scores pitch invasion in what a year full of promise ers.
It’s a measure of the progress made to suggest that most supporters will be bitterly disappointed if they don’t secure another win on home soil against Kilkenny on Sunday afternoon.
That’s certainly well within the capabilities of a group growing in confidence and with a shrewd manager at the helm. Wexford haven’t been in a league final since the 1993 trilogy against Cork, and these players are well capable of bridging that long gap.
The winners hit eleven wides to Galway’s 13, and were awarded 15 of the 27 frees. Jack Coyne had picked up a yellow card prior to his straight red, and bookings were also administered to Simon Donohoe, Jack O’Connor and Lee Chin along with Galway’s Adrian Tuohey, Johnny Coen, Pádraig Mannion, John Hanbury and Jason Flynn.
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Damien Reck, Liam Ryan (0-1), Simon Donohoe; Shaun Murphy; Diarmuid O’Keeffe (0-3), Matthew O’Hanlon (joint capt.), Pádraig Foley (0-5, 3 frees); Kevin Foley (0-2), Rory O’Connor (0-6, 4 frees); Jack O’Connor (0-1), David Dunne, Lee Chin (0-2, 1 free); Paul Morris, Conor McDonald (1-2). Subs. - Willie Devereux for Reck, inj. (14), Aidan Nolan for Dunne (54), Harry Kehoe (0-1) for J. O’Connor (68), Cathal Dunbar for Morris (68).
Galway: James Skehill; John Hanbury, Jack Grealish; Pádraig Mannion; Adrian Tuohey, Gearóid McInerney, Aidan Harte; Johnny Coen (0-3), Joe Canning (0-10, 9 frees, 1 ’65); Joseph Cooney (0-1), Cathal Mannion (0-3), Jack Coyne; David Burke (capt.), Conor Cooney, Conor Whelan (0-5). Subs. - 27 for Grealish (HT), Jason Flynn (0-1) for Burke (58), Brian Concannon for J. Cooney (69).
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).