Footballers win but still edged out for promotion
A TWO-POINT win over Antrim on a day when Wexford bowed out of the running for promotion from Division 3 of the Allianz Football League was still gratifying, as they gave one of their best displays of the campaign in forging a 1-11 to 0-12 victory in Wexford Park on April 11, 2010.
With Sligo, as expected, beating Roscommon, it left the top three teams level on ten points, but the Slaneysiders were the unfortunate ones to miss out on scoring difference.
Antrim, with superior figures despite this defeat, had already qualified, and the westerners ended up five points better off than Wexford in the difference between scores amassed and conceded.
Anthony Masterson was superb in goal, David Murphy excelled at centre-back, while Brian Malone had a very influential opening 35 minutes.
Brendan Doyle had one of his most influential games for the county in the middle of the field, while Ciarán Lyng and Redmond Barry were both back to their very best up front.
Wexford enjoyed the ideal start, with Ben Brosnan pointing from a quick free before a piercing 60-metre run by wing-back
Brian Malone ended with a lay-off to midfielder Eric Bradley who drove the ball forcefully to the net.
Although Lyng (four frees) and Brosnan (’45) added points before the break, a strong Antrim outfit including future Cork defender James Loughrey at left half-forward proved tough opponents and they were just one point in arrears by that stage (1-6 to 0-8).
The second-half ebbed and flowed, with the visitors leading by one point in the 51st minute before another brace of Lyng placed balls saw the advantage turn back in Wexford’s favour.
A key moment arrived when Anthony Masterson made a superb save to deny Tomás McCann a goal, and it was left to Lyng (play) and Shane Roche (free) to kick the winning points.
Wexford: Anthony Masterson; Damien Carter, Joey Wadding, Niall Murphy; Brian Malone, David Murphy, Aindreas Doyle; Brendan Doyle, Eric Bradley (1-0); Patrick Naughter, Redmond Barry (0-1), Adrian Flynn; Ciarán Lyng (0-7, 6 frees), Ben Brosnan (0-2, 1 free, 1 ’45), Shane Roche (0-1 free). Subs. - David Walsh for Carter (35), P.J. Banville for Malone (56), Colm Morris for Naughter (62), Ciarán Deely for Brosnan (66), Daithí Waters for Bradley (70).