Allianz Hurling League Division IB: Carlow 0-16 Wexford 2-15
The Wexford Hurlers travelled to Carlow for their opening game of the 2013 Allianz Hurling League. Wexford were rightly wary of their neighbours, having lost to them in a 2010 league encounter and with Carlow now managed by Wexford native and former Wexford manager John Myler, respect was demanded. The game ended in a five-point win for Wexford, with two second half goals proving the difference between the sides but this was by no means an easy game for the Wexford men.
Lee Chin started after playing for the footballers last night but wasn’t as effective as in recent games. He was replaced by James Tonks in the 2nd half.
It was Carlow who were quickest out of the blocks and they powered into a 0-7 to 0-3 lead by the 14th minute, but the Models responded to hit six points without reply in 20 minutes to lead at the break.
However Liam Dunne’s side were 0-9 to 0-7 ahead at the break thanks to an excellent six-point return from 19-year-old Gary Moore. The game was not without incident and in the first half both teams had players sent off, Tomás Waters for Wexford and Marty Kavanagh for the hosts.
Wexford made the perfect start to the second half with a Paul Morris goal, but Carlow enjoyed a real period of dominance in the third quarter and were level by the 52nd minute. Shane Kavanagh then pushed Carlow into the lead with 13 minutes to go and things weren’t looking good for Wexford.
However, crucial scores from Harry Kehoe and Moore put the visitors back in the lead and then Carlow had a second man sent off, Eoin Nolan getting his marching orders for a foul on Rory Jacob.
Shortly after this, Andrew Shore fielded high and his long clearance was gathered by Rory Jacob, who had come on as a half-time sub, he rounded the full back and went for the juggler and dispatched to the net. The full back was sent off moments later and that was the end of Carlow’s challenge.
Next up is Offaly away in 2 weeks time. They lost narrowly to Dublin last night after a great comeback, while Limerick had to come from behind to beat Antrim in Limerick today so it will be a tough league campaign.
WEXFORD: N Breen; B Kenny, T Waters, E Moore; R Kehoe, A Shore, L Chin; D Redmond, A Kenny; H Kehoe, S Murphy, M O’Regan; P. Morris, G Sinnott, G Moore.
Subs used: R Jacob for O’Regan, P Doran for Murphy, E Doyle for R Kehoe, J Tonks for Chin, C O’Shaughnessy for A. Kenny.
CARLOW: N Roberts; HP O’Byrne, E Nolan, D Shaw; J O’Hara, R Coady, J Corcoran; D English, E Coady; S Murphy, S Kavanagh, M Kavanagh; J Kavanagh, JM Nolan, P Nolan.
Subs used: M Brennan for JM Nolan, D Byrne for Corcoran, P Coady for P Nolan.
Scorers – Wexford: G Moore 0-09 (0-08f), P. Morris 1-02, R Jacob 1-00, D Redmond, A Kenny, G Sinnott, H Kehoe 0-01 each
Carlow: S Kavanagh 0-05 (0-03f), M Kavanagh 0-04 (0-03f), J Kavanagh, M Brennan 0-02 each, JM Nolan, R Coady (0-01 ’65′) 0-01 each
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)
