Wexford 3-16
Carlow 1-12
By Kieran Murphy
FORMER Ireland rugby international Neil Francis once described his experiences of playing New Zealand. Often he felt he and his players had performed well against the mighty All-Blacks but a glance at the score-board showed Ireland had conceded 40 points.
The Carlow U21 hurling team who played Wexford in Innovate Wexford Park last Wednesday Photo: Nicola Reddy
The Carlow hurlers could very well have expressed similar sentiments as the final whistle went in this Leinster under-21 hurling championship semi-final on Wednesday in Innovate Wexford Park.
They had matched their opponents for much of the game and led by two points early on, but at the end the Model County had posted 3-16 and won pulling away.
Carlow’s Ger Coady challenges for possession with Wexford’s Stephen O’Gorman
Playing against a strong breeze, Carlow nudged ahead in the opening seconds when Kevin McDonald found the posts from play. Wexford replied when Darragh Pepper passed to Joe O’Connor who clipped over the equaliser. The visitors worked hard to shut down Wexford and in one incident which exemplified the Carlow focus, the combined efforts of Conor Foley and Aaron Amond forced Joe Coleman to shoot wide. Later in the quarter, a huge hit by Carlow’s Adam Dunne drew gasps from the crowd as Gary Molloy was stopped dead in his tracks when it looked as if space was opening up for him.
Carlow’s Gary Lawlor tries to get past Wexford’s Joe O’Connor
The difference in the sides up to half-time were two opportunist’s goals from Cathal Dunbar. Both came from long puck-outs from Darragh Hughes into the heart of the defence. Possibly a more street-savvy side could have prevented them.
For the first goal, Carlow allowed the ball to run loose on their right. In that area was Cathal Dunbar who had all the time in the world to drive the ball into the far corner of the net.
Carlow got back into the game but struggled to raise a flag of any description. Chris Nolan popped over a couple of frees but then came the second Wexford goal. This time the long puck broke to the left of the Carlow posts. Here was Dunbar and once more Carlow were undone. With the score 2-6 to 0-5 at the interval, it was going to need a huge effort to turn the game around.
Carlow needed to hit the ground running in the second half. Instead it was Wexford who ratcheted up the pressure. Four points in a row killed the game. Nolan’s accuracy from placed balls gave Carlow something to hang their challenge on and Conor Foley wormed his way through the Wexford defence for a 41st minute goal. Another Nolan’s free left six points between them.
As quickly as the possibility of a comeback arose, Wexford shut the door again. This time Dunbar ran straight at the visiting defence. Hat-tricks are rare at this level but the corner-forward was on his game as he hammered the ball past the helpless Damien Jordan. That was it. Game over and all Carlow’s good work counted for nothing.
Wexford: Darren Hughes; Brian Quigley, Darren Byrne, Shane Reck; Rowan White, Aaron Maddock, Gary Molloy (0-1); Joe O’Connor (0-1), Daire Barden; Harry O’Connor, Sam Kelly, Joe Coleman (0-10, 0-7 frees); Cathal Dunbar (3-0), Stephen O’Gorman, Darragh Pepper (0-2). Subs: Rory O’Connor (0-2) for Kelly (h/t), Conor Firman for Barden (h/t), Jack Firman for O’Connor (43 mins), Darren Codd for O’Gorman (46 mins), Cormac Moore for White (58 mins).
Carlow: Damien Jordan; Andrew Casey, Eoin Redmond, Padraic Coughlan; Aaron Amond, Gary Lawlor, Adam Dunne; Ger Coady, Kevin McDonald (0-2); John Murphy, Conor Foley (1-0), Owen Roberts (0-1); Cathal Treacy, Chris Nolan (0-8, 0-7 frees), Sean Whelan (0-1). Subs: Jamie Wall for Lawlor (blood 13 mins), Lawlor for Wall (18 mins), Jamie Wall for Lawlor (h/t), Sean Brennan for Murphy (21 mins).
Referee: John O’Brien (Laois)
