Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MODEL SECURE VITAL VICTORY
Wexford 1-30 1-26
BY BRENDAN FURLONG WEXFORD were left to rely on a nine point first half lead as they held off a spirited Antrim last night at Chadwick’s Wexford Park.
Wayward finishing also came back to haunt Darren Gleeson’s Saffrons.
It was corner-forward Conal Cunning who was Antrim’s most prolific scorer finishing the game with a personal tally of 0-12, (8 frees, 3.’65s).
At the opposite end it was the scoring exploits of the O’Connor brothers, Rory and Jack, that steered the homeside to a crucial victory.
“It was a significant two points for us, especially following the disappointment of the opening game against Galway,” said Model boss Darragh Egan.
“We took the game to them in the opening half, opened up a significant lead but we would be somewhat disappointed with our second half display.
“The challenge facing us now is to back this up against Dublin next Saturday.”
A series of superb scores from the O’Connnors left Wexford leding 1-19 to 1-10 at the interval.
Neil McManus pointed within seconds of the restart, but Wexford continued to withstand the Antrim challenge still leading 1-23 to 1-15 after 47 minutes.
Cunning put four points between the teams, 1-29 to 1-25 with three minutes remaining, but Wexford held on as Antrim sought goals from two close in frees in a tense finish. WEXFORD: J Lawlor; S Reck, L Ryan, C Devitt; M O’Hanlon, C Foley, S Donohoe (0-1); D O’Keeffe, C Hearne; O Foley
(0-4), J O’Connor (0-5), L Og McGovern (0-2); R O’Connor (0-7), L Chin (0-8, 2f), C Dunbar (1-2). Subs: Joe O’Connor for Ryan (ht), C McDonald for Hearne (45), K Foley for O’Keeffe (55), M Dwyer for Jack O’Connor (59), R Lawlor (0-1) for Dunbar (68). ANTRIM: R Elliott; P Burke. R McGarry, N O’Connor (0-1); G Walsh (0-1 free), E Campbell, S Walsh; M Bradley (0-1), S Elliott (0-1); K Molloy (0-1), J Maskey, J McNaughton (1-1); C Cunning (0-12, 8 frees, 3, ‘65s), N McManus (0-3, 0-1f), C Johnston (0-1). Subs: R McMullan (0-2) for Maskey (32), P Boyle (0-1) for S Walsh (33), E O’Neill for S Elliott (45), S McAuley (0-1) for
Johnston (55), D Nugent for Campbell (61).
M Kennedy (Tipp)