Hurlers ease past Laois
Wexford bounce back after conceding goal
THE WEXFORD Senior hurlers bounced back from the concession of an early goal to power their way into a fifth successive Leinster championship decider at the expense of a poor Laois side in Croke Park on June 12, 2005, winning by 0-24 to 1-10.
It took a setback in the fifth minute to stir the provincial titleholders into decisive action, as Damien Culleton rounded David O’Connor en route to crashing home an excellent goal for Paudie Butler’s underdogs.
However, it wasn’t a sign of things to come as, once Wexford hit the front for the first time in the 16th minute, their progress to yet another final was assured.
Indeed, the side managed by Seamus Murphy outscored their rivals by 0-13 to 0-1 between the eleventh and 34th minutes, and went on to lead by 0-15 to 1-4 at half-time.
They did take their foot off the gas somewhat during the third quarter, going almost 15 minutes without raising a flag, but the introduction of the full-of-running Nigel Higgins breathed new life into the attack and they went on to pick off a string of late points.
The failure to score a goal, or to even trouble Laois netminder Patrick Mullaney, was an undoubted cause for concern but, on the brighter side, the biggest plus was the performance of full-back Darragh
Ryan in his first competitive game for Wexford since the 2004 All-Ireland semi-final.
The powerful St. Anne’s defender made light of his knee problems to command the edge of the square, seeing off the challenge of three different Laois opponents.
David O’Connor and Keith Rossiter also prospered in a solid full-back line, while Diarmuid Lyng excelled on the left flank in his first championship start.
With Darren Stamp failing to recover from a heel injury, Malachy Travers came in at right half-back and Declan Ruth moved into the middle, where his catching, striking, and long-range shooting from placed balls, made the world of difference.
Adrian Fenlon made a welcome return at midfield after missing the entire league campaign, giving his all until he understandably ran out of steam in the second-half.
The livewire Des Mythen, Rory McCarthy and free-taker Rory Jacob were most prominent in attack, while Nigel Higgins pushed himself into contention for a starting place against Kilkenny with a forceful contribution after entering the fray in the 48th minute.
Laois, in search of a first championship win over Wexford since 1985, were buoyed by that early goal, and they continued to buzz for a while as points from James Young and teenage debutant Cahir Healy pushed them clear by 1-3 to 0-2.
The momentum began to shift as Declan Ruth (free) and Eoin Quigley started a sequence of five scores without reply, with the lead arriving from a Rory Jacob placed ball in the 16th minute.
A reply from Young was the last Laois point of the opening half, with eight on the bounce from Wexford then leaving them in a comfortable position at the break.
The second-half was a fairly pedestrian affair, although the winners were relieved to see Liam Tynan penalised for over-carrying when he burst through for a Laois ‘goal’ in the 45th minute.
Wexford: Damien Fitzhenry; David O’Connor, Darragh Ryan, Keith Rossiter; Malachy Travers, Declan Ruth (0-4, 3 frees, 1 ’65), Diarmuid Lyng; Redmond Barry (0-1), Adrian Fenlon (0-1); Rory McCarthy (0-2), Eoin Quigley (0-2), Michael Jacob (capt.); Des Mythen (0-3), Micheál Jordan (0-1), Rory Jacob (0-7, 5 frees). Subs. - Nigel Higgins (0-2) for Jordan, Paul Carley (0-1) for Barry, Tomás Mahon for McCarthy, Darren Stamp for Quigley, Barry Lambert for Mythen.
Laois: Patrick Mullaney; Brian Campion, Pakie Cuddy, Michael McEvoy; Joe Fitzpatrick, Darren Rooney, Seamus Dwyer; Joe Phelan (capt., 0-1), Enda Meagher; Cahir Healy (01), James Young (0-7, 3 frees, 2 ’65s), James Walsh; Tommy Fitzgerald (0-1), Liam Tynan, Damien Culleton (1-0). Subs. - Mark Rooney for Meagher, Robert Jones for Phelan, Canice Coonan for Healy, Cathal Brophy for Walsh.
Referee: John Sexton (Limerick).