U-17s stroll into decider

THE WEXFORD Under-17 development squad absolutely demolished the challenge of the Wicklow Minors in the Leinster Minor hurling league shield semi-final in Bray on Saturday.

In every aspect of the game the young Model hurlers were way ahead of the neighbours, and the game was effectively over as early as four minutes into the second-half when Wexford bagged their fourth goal to push them 4-11 to 3-3 ahead.

Striking, basic skills, and physical development were just some of the departments in which the Wexford lads were superior to their opponents, and in Kevin O’Donoghue and Seán Delaney they had two immense figures.

Delaney capitalised on Wicklow’s apparent refusal to mark him at any stage in the game, with O’Donoghue dominating from half-forward and foraging and hunting very impressively throughout the game.

Wicklow kept with their neighbours for the opening 15 minutes when the scoreboard read 2-3 apiece, the Wexford goals from Reece Broaders and a wicked ground stroke from Micheál O’Connor.

For the remainder of the firsthalf, Wexford opened up a lead that would never be closed thanks to fine shooting from O’Connor (two), Conor Nolan (two), Seán Delaney (two) and Reece Broaders to leave the half-time score at 2-10 to 2-3 for the visitors.

Broaders and Cathal Doyle got in for early second-half goals, and although Gearóid Murphy tore the Wexford defence apart in between those Model majors for a lovely goal himself, Wicklow’s goose was as good as cooked.

And when half-back Adam Hughes went on a second yellow with 17 minutes gone in the second period, it was damage limitation time for the home side.

This was a really hungry and healthy performance from Wexford, but the opposition were limited and the challenge in the end was very easily overcome.

They march on to the final where they will face Antrim who got the better of Westmeath in the other semi-final by 1-22 to 0-8, and the Saffrons will no doubt provide A much stiffer task for the Wexford lads in the decider.

Wexford: Seán Cooper; Glen Carton, Tommy Ryan, Cillian Gahan; Michael Gahan, Sam Audsley, Patrick O’Hagan; Conall O Crualaoich, Chris Callanan; Kevin O’Donoghue (0-4), Seán Delaney (0-9, 2 frees), Micheál O’Connor (1-3); Reece Broaders (2-2, 0-1 free), Conor Nolan (0-1), Cathal Doyle (1-2). Subs. - Seán O’Connor (0-1) for M. O’Connor, Craig Foley (0-1) for Doyle, Evan O’Dwyer (0-1) for Carton, Seamus Doyle for C. Gahan, Ben O’Connor for Cooper, Eoin Doyle for M. Gahan, Ben Walsh (0-1) for Broaders.

Wicklow: Cian Staunton; Killian Hannon, Bryan Kearney, Michael J. Moran; Adam Hughes, Conor Deering, Pádraig O’Toole (0-1); Matthew Traynor, Ian Clancy; Gary Hughes, Gearóid Murphy (1-0), Aaron Byrne (0-3 frees); George O’Brien, Jonathan O’Neill (1-0), Shane Mellon (1-0). Subs. - Paudie McGing for Deering, Joe McDonald for O’Brien, Seán Somers for Moran, Brandon Scully for Byrne, Robert Moffit for Hannon, Kian Moules for Clancy.