Corey Byrne Dunbar, Wexford, and Cathal King, Offaly, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division One Group A
Wexford 0-20 Offaly 1-17
By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park
Wexford survived a double red-card setback and a searching test from Offaly in Saturday’s deadlocked second round Allianz hurling league Division 1A duel at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
And the strongly fancied purple and gold emerged mightily relieved against an Offaly side which squandered plenty of chances.
Wexford actually failed to gain parity until the 41st minute, while they didn’t hit the front until the 61st minute – a free from distance by ‘keeper Mark Fanning shading it by 0-16 to 0-15.
Wexford momentarily appeared to be heading for victory when Seamus Casey and inspirational leader Lee Chin (free) carved out a 0-18 to 0-15 advantage before a raucous 3,664 attendance.
But Offaly struck back with a 65th minute equalising goal through Brian Duignan, and with Wexford seeing both Jack O’Connor and Charlie McGuckin red-carded in separate incidents, the visitors seemed destined for victory when Duignan (free) and David King snapped them into a 1-17 to 0-18 lead in added-time.
Defiant Wexford battled against the clock and the worsening conditions though as Chin (free) and Seamus Casey saved the day, with sub Simon Donohoe going close with a last-gasp chance to nick it.
Despite remaining unbeaten, this patchy display leaves Wexford with much to reflect upon before hosting Clare on February 25th, when Offaly will be heading to Kilkenny with spirits boosted by this vibrant showing.
Amid damp but calm conditions, Offaly had Wexford stretched in the opening stages as the midlanders generated a 0-5 to 0-1 lead inside eight minutes.
A quick-fire double from centre-back Cillian Kiely decorated the early surge by Johnny Kelly’s men as another defender, Ben Conneely, also chipped in.
Wexford were sluggish, failing to generate any cohesion, and the visitors could have enjoyed even more breathing room, but for firing eight of the 11 wides registered inside the first 30 minutes.
But Offaly maintained a four point gap at that stage after Killian Sampson and Charlie Mitchell added to their returns.
However, considering Offaly’s wides, Wexford were relieved to reach half-time adrift by just 0-11 to 0-9.
And that was after they went close with a goaling chance, only for Cian Byrne to flash a ground stroke wide after a tidy assist from Corey Byrne-Dunbar.
Regardless, a burst of late scores from Lee Chin (three frees), Cian Byrne and Cian Molloy had them within a couple of points at the change-of-ends.
And the stern words of manager Keith Rossiter initially roused a strong Wexford response on the restart as Chin, Charlie McGuckin and Byrne-Dunbar gained parity for the first time after 41 minutes (0-12 each).
But it turned out to be an equally testing half for the hosts as, following an exchange of points, substitute Jack O’Connor received his marching orders within a couple of minutes of his introduction.
When Offaly failed to make any major gains – sub Dan Bourke and David King opening-up a 0-15 to 0-13 divide – Wexford seemed to be making a decisive surge as sub James Byrne and Chin (free) levelled before goalie Mark Fanning gave them a first lead after 61 minutes, from a free on his own 45 yard line (0-16 to 0-15).
However, while Seamus Casey and Chin (free) extended the margin to 0-18 to 0-15, Offaly rattled back with a 65th minute equalising goal through Brian Duignan after an off-load by Charlie Mitchell.
And Offaly were further boosted when Wexford were reduced to 13 men, as Charlie McGuckin was sent off.
The visitors profited amid the worsening conditions as Duignan (free) and David King hoisted them back in front (1-17 to 0-18) only be reeled-in by Wexford.
Scorers for Wexford: Lee Chin 0-9 (8 frees), Cian Byrne, Seamus Casey 0-2 each, Tomás Kinsella, Richie Lawlor, Cian Molloy, Corey Byrne-Dunbar, Charlie McGuckin, James Byrne, Mark Fanning (free) 0-1 each
Scorers for Offaly: Brian Duignan 1-7 (0-2 ‘65s, 0-4 frees), Cillian Kiely, David King 0-2 each, Ben Conneely, Adam Screeney, Killian Sampson, Charlie Mitchell, Dan Bourke, Cathal King 0-1 each.
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Niall Murphy, Conor Foley, Shane Reck; Charlie McGuckin, Damien Reck, Cian Molloy; Corey Byrne-Dunbar, Conor Hearne; Kevin Foley, Richie Lawlor, Tomás Kinsella; Cian Byrne, Lee Chin, Seamus Casey.
Subs: Jack O’Connor for Kinsella (45), James Byrne for Cian Byrne (56), Cathal Dunbar for Byrne-Dunbar (66), Simon Donohoe for Hearne (69), Joe O’Connor for Molloy (70).
Offaly: Mark Troy; Cathal King, Ciarán Burke, Sam Bourke; Jason Sampson, Cillian Kiely, Ben Conneely; David King, Jack Clancy; Killian Sampson, Eimhin Kelly, David Nally; Adam Screeney, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell.
Subs: Dan Bourke for Kiely, temp. (45-48), Bourke for Clancy (52), Morgan Watkins for Screeney (58), Dan Ravenhill for Kelly (66).
Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin).
