Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round-Robin: Wexford 0-22, Dublin 2-14

by Ronan Fagan

Rory O’Connor was the toast of Wexford on Sunday after spearheading an injury-time escape to victory against determined Dublin in a drama-packed conclusion to this Leinster SHC round-robin contest.

Wexford were setting up as commanding winners after extending a 0-10 to 1-6 half-time lead to 0-16 to 1-8 midway through the second-half. But Dublin, illustrating absolutely no ill-effects of the first-round frustration against Kilkenny, emerged from their slumber to turn the tables by 2-13 to 0-18 after 65 minutes. The locals refused to fold and thunderous roars from connections amongst the 10,228 greeting Rory O’Connor delivering two vital added-time scores – including a monstrous effort from play – as Davy Fitzgerald’s men clawed their way to victory.

Dublin’s remaining games against Offaly (home) and defending provincial and All-Ireland champions Galway (away) now take on added importance for Pat Gilroy’s men as they seek qualification.

Wexford, meanwhile, head to Offaly next Saturday before hosting Galway and taking on a mouth-watering task against Kilkenny.

Dublin led 0-2 to 0-1 through a couple of Paul Ryan frees before Wexford imposed their will on matters to turn the tables by 0-5 to 0-2 after 12 minutes with Rory O’Connor contributing three scores to his eventual personal salvo of 0-12.

Wexford endured a major setback on 13 minutes when Dublin goaled to level on 1-2 to 0-5 after intercepting a Wexford clearance which led indirectly to midfielder Rian McBride goaling.

Wexford remained more vibrant but squandered promising chances as the sides shared the next four scores before Rory O’Connor momentarily pointed Wexford back in front (0-8 to 1-4). Indeed, Jake Malone and defender Paddy Smyth turned the tide back in favour of Dublin (1-6 to 0-8) before the Dubs enjoyed a massive let off when Paul Morris went close with gilt-edged goaling chance.

Wexford overcame that disappointment though as Rory O’Connor tagged on two late scores to shade matters by 0-10 to 1-6 at the break.

Wexford returned with far more zip as they dominated the third quarter to carve out a 0-16 to 1-8 lead after 51 minutes as Jack O’Connor, Aidan Nolan, Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Rory O’Connor (2) and Pádraig Foley (free) obliged.

But any Dublin concerns regarding the impact of their frustrating opening-round loss to Kilkenny were allayed as the Sky Blues turned the game on its head when transforming matters by 2-13 to 0-18 with a burst of 1-3 without reply between the 58th and 65th minutes, Paul Ryan bagging a tidy 61st-minute goal.

Rory O’Connor got Wexford back on terms before Dublin substitute David Treacy put a shock back on the cards at 2-14 to 0-19.

But Wexford sent the decibel levels soaring amongst as Rory O’Connor levelled from a free before adding a monstrous score from play, and sub Harry Kehoe added a terrific late score to leave Wexford ecstatic but also immensely relieved.

Wexford: Mark Fanning; Damien Reck, Liam Ryan, Simon Donohoe; Diarmuid O’Keeffe (0-1), Pádraig Foley (0-2, 0-1 free), Matthew O’Hanlon; Aidan Nolan (0-1), Kevin Foley (0-1); Lee Chin (0-2), Shaun Murphy, Jack O’Connor (0-1); Paul Morris (0-1), Conor McDonald, Rory O’Connor (0-12, 11 frees).

Subs: Harry Kehoe (0-1) for McDonald (55); Cathal Dunbar for Morris (61).

Dublin: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth (0-1), Cian O’Callaghan, Bill O’Carroll; Chris Crummey, Seán Moran, Eoghan O’Donnell; Jake Malone (0-1), Shane Barrett; Rian McBride (1-1), Fiontánn Mac Gib, Danny Sutcliffe (0-1); Fergal Whitely, Liam Rushe (0-1), Paul Ryan (1-7, 0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65).

Subs: Tomás Connolly for Barrett (43); Cian Boland (0-1) for Whitley (43); David Treacy (0-1) for O’Carroll (51); Ronan Hayes for O’Donnell (60); 25 Paul Winters for McGibb (60).

Referee – Colm Lyons (Cork).

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship: Kilkenny 2-19, Offaly 1-13

Offaly cut Kilkenny’s lead to three points with less than ten minutes remaining, but ‘The Cats’ didn’t panic and went top of the table after two rounds in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship at Nowlan Park on Sunday.

Kilkenny held a comfortable 1-16 to 0-11 lead before Offaly rallied with a Joe Bergin goal and two quick-fire points.

It wasn’t long before Kilkenny took control again, however, and a period of dominance which featured a Liam Blanchfield goal earned them a nine point victory.

Brian Cody’s charges now have two wins out of two ahead of their trip to Pearse Stadium next Sunday, while Offaly must regroup as they welcome Wexford to Bord na Móna O’Connor Park on Saturday evening.

Offaly’s score difference is now -21 and yet they showed enough spirit and skill in their two games so far to suggest they could obtain a more positive result before the season concludes.

Similar to last week against the All-Ireland champions, the Faithful County held their own for most of the first half. After settling quickly, they led by 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes and were only behind by 0-6 to 0-5 when TJ Reid struck for Kilkenny’s first goal in the 23^rd minute.

Kilkenny built up a 1-10 to 0-7 cushion at the interval, with Luke Scanlon chipping in with four points from play. In general, though, Kilkenny will be unhappy with their inaccuracy, as they registered 22 wides over the 70 minutes.

The home side eased ahead in an uneventful third quarter, but had to lift themselves again after Offaly refused to wilt and came through for a convincing victory.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 1-5 (0-4 frees), Liam Blanchfield 1-2, Luke Scanlon 0-4, Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Colin Fennelly 0-2 each, Richie Leahy and Eoin Murphy (free) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: Joe Bergin 1-3, Shane Dooley 0-5 (0-4 frees), Shane Kinsella 0-2, Pat Camon, Colin Egan and Oisin Kelly 0-1 each.

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Conor Delaney, Cillian Buckley, Paul Murphy; Conor Fogarty, Lester Ryan; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Richie Leahy; John Donnelly, Liam Blanchfield, Luke Scanlon. Subs: Colin Fennelly for Conor Fogarty (41), Conor Browne for Lester Ryan (53), Ger Aylward for Luke Scanlon (54), Conor O’Shea for Richie Leahy (70).

OFFALY: Eoghan Cahill; Tom Spain, Dermot Shortt, Ben Conneely; Damien Egan, Pat Camon, David O’Toole-Greene; Shane Kinsella, David King; Oisin Kelly, Colin Egan, Paddy Murphy, Dan Currams, Joe Bergin, Shane Dooley. Subs: Conor Mahon (for Paddy Murphy (30), Paddy Delaney for Tom Spain (H/T), Ronan Hughes for Dan Currams (H/T), Sean Ryan for Colin Egan (53), Tommy Geraghty for Shane Kinsella (69).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)