Murphy main man
Winger runs in three tries for Wexford
CALUM MURPHY stole the show as, despite the dreadful underfoot conditions he managed to display fleetness of foot to run in three tries as Wexford Wanderers emerged with a hugely-impressive victory over visiting Balbriggan in the opening round of the Provincial Towns Cup at Park Lane on Sunday.
There was a huge sigh of relief as the rain disappeared just an hour before kick-off following the earlier deluge.
This allowed referee William Murphy to declare the pitch playable following an inspection, leaving it as one of the few games to survive the weather.
But given the deteriorating conditions of the pitch, the delicate footwork of Murphy won over the supporters, with his three tries inspiring a handsome victory in the end.
Wexford Wanderers go into the second round where they are drawn away to holders Tullow on February 11 with a performance they will be pleased with, as they continued their fine league form of late, which already included a victory and a draw with their opponents.
On this occasion there was never any doubt as to the superior side since Wanderers were dominant for the most part, showing the focus and drive to overcome the conditions with some excellent running rugby and five tries into the bargain. This was no mean feat given the heavy sod which cut up badly as the game progressed.
The worst was feared going into this clash, particularly as Wanderers had a young and inexperienced back line. The doubts were not helped by scrum-half Alex Ryan failing a fitness test, leaving replacement Michael Buys to take the No. 9 jersey.
Luckily this did not upset the half-back partnership, as Buys settled in quickly and, along with the excellent Seán Stafford at out-half, they went on to dictate the pattern of the game.
The six tries to one win suggests the home side were firmly in control, even though the visitors did put up a spirited resistance through the opening 20 minutes which ended with the sides level (5-5).
Even though they had the stiffish breeze advantage, Balbriggan still spent much of the opening period inside their own half, and when they failed to capitalise through that opening 40 minutes there was only ever going to be one result.
It was punishing up front, as players became practically undistinguishable given the churning up ground, but Wanderers took the lead as early as the eighth minute.
A fine Stafford kick forced a lineout ten metres from the opposition line. Having won the ball cleanly, Stafford cut inside two defenders before moving the ball along the line for Murphy to crash over close to the corner.
Stafford was narrowly wide with a difficult conversion kick but the home side were full value for their lead.
Balbriggan were being starved of quality ball by the pressure of the home side’s pack but they managed to get back level after 20 minutes.
When the play seemed to have broken down on the right, a loose ball was kicked forward, leaving Dylan Staunton to win the race for the touchdown. Tom Downes was wide with his conversion attempt.
Seven minutes later Stafford linked up with his back line to send Colm O Corcora over for the second try, which the out-half converted, and despite a late penalty from Downes, Wanderers still led 12-8 at the interval.
Just two minutes into the second-half, Murphy somehow managed to show excellent footwork to create space to get the touchdown despite the attention of two defenders.
Despite Stafford being just wide with his conversion attempt, they still looked comfortable, leading 17-8.
Wexford Wanderers maintained the momentum, with Murphy completing his hat-trick of tries after 53 minutes when he got on the end of a fine back line move to get over close to the corner. With the try going unconverted, they now led 22-8.
It was simplicity for Wanderers, as they kept the ball tight, only moving when in opposition territory.
This in itself proved sufficient for Corey Carty to add two further tries, with Stafford supplying the extra points, rewarding the excellent work of the pack.
Wexford Wanderers: Eoin Roche; Liam Barry (Seán O Corcora, 25), Colm O Corcora, Corey Carty, Calum Murphy; Seán Stafford, Michael Buys; Seán Redmond (James Byrne, 59), Graham Grant, Will Morris; Darragh Kehoe, John Turner; Tom Brennan, Carthaigh Geoghegan, Luke Roche.
Balbriggan: Thomas Rooney; Nick Demanget, Rúaidhrí O’Brien, Ian Murphy (Graeme O’Reilly, 60), Dylan Staunton; Tom Downes, Andy Smith; Paddy Joyce (Anthony Whelan, 65), Jason Furze (Danny Bryan, 70), Al McKiernan; Seán Malone (Andrew Miller, 55), Conor Caldwell; Mark Fay, Ciarán Mallon, Glenn Predy (Gavin Mullen, 60).
Referee: William Murphy (Kilkenny).