WEXFORD: 2-16
CARLOW: 0-20
A late Wexford onslaught nearing the end saw off a valiant Carlow challenge in Saturday evening’s All-Ireland Phase 1 Qualifier at a sunny Wexford Park.
After defeating Antrim in a lacklustre preliminary round last week, Wexford returned to the home county grounds and introduced Shaun Murphy of Oulart-The Ballagh to the championship scene. For Carlow, Marty Kavanagh was sure to add a spice of youthful creativity but his start was delayed until the 41st minute.
The opening ten minutes were tit for tat as a couplet of Jack Guiney points (1 free) were matched with a pair of frees from David English. Even though the diligence of Richie Kehoe, Tomás Waters and Harry Kehoe thwarted the Carlow attack, the force of the Barrowsiders would soon prevail as Craig Doyle, Mark Brennan and David English opened up a three-point lead for the visitors on 19 minutes. However that advantage was counteracted as Jack Guiney picked out Paudge Doran who slammed the ball to the top right-hand corner of the net, levelling the sides on a scoreline of 1-2 to 0-5. While Guiney notched four further points before the half’s closure, the Rathnure clubman was the only threat up front for Wexford. 6 points before the interval gave Carlow a comfortable lead at halftime on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-6.
While the second half was a pulsating affair, it was a rocky one for the purple-and-gold body of support. Lee Chin assisted Garrett Sinnott to point inside the half’s opening minute but that gave Wexford a false sense of security as Carlow continued to rack up pointed frees from John Michael Nolan and David English. But English’s ninth point on 53 minutes preceded a ten-minute scoring drought for Carlow. Wexford, who were boosted by a number of impact subs’, produced a blistering attack in the final quarter which proved to be vital. With the home side trailing by two, Eoin Quigley linked the ball to David Redmond who’s shot inched past Carlow net-minder Frank Foley in the 58th minute. David English notched an equaliser four minutes before the end but Wexford’s no.7 Ciarán Kenny, who had shone throughout the game, fired over a great point from distance which was followed by Jack Guiney’s effort and scraped a win for Wexford.
While the opening two thirds of the clash lacked great conviction from the Slaneysiders, the fluid closing was of great reassurance to the home supporters. Carlow deserve great credit for the merit and grit of their display which provided a riveting spectacle.
WEXFORD: Mark Fanning (Glynn-Barntown), Eoin Moore (Oulart-The Ballagh), Tomás Waters (St. Martin’s), Bobby Kenny (Buffers Alley), Richie Kehoe (Faythe Harriers), Michael O’Regan (Glynn-Barntown), Ciarán Kenny (Buffers Alley 0-1), Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn), Shaun Murphy (Oulart-The Ballagh), Jack Guiney (Rathnure St. Anne’s 0-11 9 frees), Garrett Sinnott (Oulart-The Ballagh capt., 0-1), Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers), Paul Morris (Ferns St. Aidan’s), Rory Jacob (Oulart-The Ballagh 0-1), Paudge Doran (Oylegate-Glenbrien 1-0). SUBS.: David Redmond (1-1) for Shaun Murphy; James Tonks for Michael O’Regan; Eoin Quigley (0-1) for Harry Kehoe; Ciarán O’Shaughnessy for Lee Chin; Gary Moore for Paul Morris.
CARLOW: Frank Foley (Mount Leinster Rangers), Cillian McCabe (Naomh Eoin), Eoin Nolan (Naomh Eoin), Diarmuid Byrne (Mount Leinster Rangers) Hugh Patrick O’Byrne (Mount Leinster Rangers), Richard Cody (Mount Leinster Rangers), Edward Coady (Mount Leinster Rangers capt.), Jack Kavanagh (St. Mullin’s 0-1), David English (Ballinkillen 0-11 8 frees), Eddie Byrne (Mount Leinster Rangers), Mark Brennan (Naomh Bríd 0-1), Seán Murphy (Ballinkillen 0-1), Craig Doyle (Erin’s Owen 0-2), John Michael Nolan (Naomh Eoin 0-3), Andrew Gaule (Ballinkillen 0-1). SUBS. Marty Kavanagh for Andrew Gaule; James Doyle for John Michael 
