Minor Hurlers beaten by the minimum by Wexford

Dublin 1-8 Wexford 1-9

It proved a disappointing trip to Chadwicks Wexford Park for Dublin last Saturday afternoon as they fell to Wexford by 1-9 to 1-8 in their Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Tier 1 Group 1 Round 2 encounter.

After overcoming Offaly a week previously in perfect conditions, the contrast in the elements could not have been greater as it teemed rain throughout with the hosts starting on the front foot as they built up an early six-point lead.

Jamie Doyle opened the scoring in the 7^th minute and the talented centre-forward struck for the opening goal two minutes later as his free from long-distance landed fortuitously in the Dublin goal.

A free from Jason Rossiter extended Wexford’s advantage before Dublin finally opened their own account through a David Purcell free in the 14^th minute.

The Kilmacud Crokes attacker added a point from play within two minutes and after a scoreless period of eight minutes, the visitors were right back in the hunt following a superb individual goal from Conor Newton.

That was as close at Dublin ever got as they crucially never managed to restore parity and while Rossiter and Purcell traded scores as the half progressed, Doyle popped over another score to leave the hosts well placed at 1-5 to 1-3 at the break.

With scores at a premium, a point from Kian O’Connor enhanced Wexford’s lead but two frees in quick succession by Purcell brought the Dubs to within touching distance by the 42^nd minute.

Liam Cooney pushed the hosts two points clear once again by the end of the third quarter with Purcell adding another free as neither side were afforded breathing room of any kind.

The influential Doyle and Dublin substitute Fiach Lupton traded points before Jack Nolan brought an end to his team’s scoring in the 51^st minute.

Almost inevitably, Dublin halved their deficit once again, through Purcell from play, but despite enjoying a generous amount of possession in the closing stages, a levelling score proved elusive as they succumbed by the tightest of margins.

Dublin will now turn their attention to Round 3, when they meet Kerry in O’Moore Park, Portloaise next Friday afternoon at 12.00.

Scorers – Wexford: J Doyle 1-4 (1-0f, 0-1 ‘65’), J Rossiter 0-2 (2f), K O’Connor, L Cooney, J Nolan 0-1 each. Dublin: D Purcell 0-7 (4f), C Newton 1-0, F Lupton 0-1.

Wexford: P Quigley; B Harpur, C Doyle, P Kinsella; D Daly O’Toole, C Roark, N Furlong; J Dunne, S Hyland; C Carley, J Doyle, J Nolan; J Rossiter, K O’Connor, J O’Leary. Subs: L Cooney for Rossiter (half-time), T Dempsey for Hyland (47), S Walsh for O’Connor (58), R Cahill for O’Leary (58), C Ryan for Dunne (62).

Dublin: H Curley; M Pappalardo, L Dargan, L Mooney; F Murphy, W Wheatley, J Sheppard; T Costello, R Murphy; D O’Kelly, D Kilduff, M Ó Tighearnaigh; C Newton, D Purcell, D Delaney. Subs: C Graham for Delaney (half-time), R Ó Néill for Dargan (32), J Kennedy for Kilduff (48), F Lupton for R Murphy (49), G Flannery for Costello (57).

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly).