Minor Hurlers secure their Leinster Final spot with a win over Wexford

DUBLIN 1-17 

WEXFORD 2-10

A strong final-quarter proved telling as Dublin overcame a battling Wexford by four points in their absorbing Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship semi-final at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

A tight encounter was anticipated given the closeness of their clash in the group stages in Donnycarney last month and so it proved throughout a tense and nerve-ridden affair.

Dublin looked the better team in the first-quarter with a Darragh Kilduff goal helping them build a five-point lead at one stage but goals from Sean O’Brien and Darren Rossiter edged Wexford 2-5 to 1-7 ahead by the interval.

The visitors maintained a narrow lead throughout the third quarter but Dublin regained control at the most opportune time with Kilduff landing two inspirational scores to confirm his side’s progression to the decider.

Both teams were guilty of some understandable handling errors in the early stages with the visitors taking the lead through a 3^rd minute free by O’Brien.

With Ciarán Gethings operating as an effective sweeper for Wexford, scoring chances proved at a premium for the hosts as they fell further behind to a smart Kevin O’Mahony point in the 11^th minute.

A free from Rory Flannery a minute later helped settle Dublin and the Kilmacud Crokes player doubled his own tally soon after to leave the teams deadlocked at 0-2 apiece by the 13^th minute.

It was at this stage that the hosts played their most compelling hurling as Fiachra Codd edged them in front from a Cathal Barrett pass and matters improved for the hosts at the end of the first quarter as they pounced for the opening goal.

There seemed little trouble as Rory Duffy’s point attempt dropped short but with Wexford goalkeeper Paddy Quigley under pressure, his fumble allowed Kilduff the chance to manoeuvre the ball to the net from close range.

The Round Towers Lusk attacker added a classy point soon after with Wexford’s Colin Carley landing a much-needed point at the opposite end in the 18^th minute.

Killian Costello and O’Brien (free) traded points as the half evolved before the visitors struck a goal of their own as O’Brien crashed home from ten yards, raising Wexford morale in the process.

An excellent Flannery point was a positive reply to that setback but the half finished on a negative note for Dublin as O’Brien released Rossiter for an emphatic finish beyond Pádraigh Ryan.

A brace of Flannery frees allowed the Dubs to draw level by the 34^th minute but their opponents continued regained their marginal lead as Carley and O’Brien tagged on points.

While Eoghan Brennan restored parity with an excellent point in the 41^st minute, the hosts were struggling to make serious inroads in attack as O’Brien added a brace of frees to push Wexford two clear by the start of the final quarter.

However, the visitors only managed a solitary point for the remainder as two Flannery frees brought parity by the 49th minute with subsequent points by Oscar Brennan and Kilduff edging them ahead.

Jamie Kennedy replied for Wexford but Dublin advanced to their first provincial final in six years as Kilduff, Senan Bolger and Flannery added insurance points in the closing stages.

Scorers – Dublin: R Flannery 0-9 (8f); D Kilduff 1-3; F Codd, E Brennan, K Costello, O Brennan, S Bolger 0-1 apiece. Wexford: S O’Brien 1-6 (0-6f); D Rossiter 1-0; C Carley 0-2; K O’Mahony, J Kennedy 0-1 apiece.

Dublin: P Ryan; R Duffy, S Dunphy, M Byrne; C Quinn, C O’Flynn, T Cullen; F Codd, J Norris; E Brennan, R Flannery, T Higgins; K Costello, C Barrett, D Kilduff. Subs: S Bolger for Barrett (half-time), F Daly for Higgins (40), O Brennan for E Brennan (47), B O’Mahony for Quinn (53), A Ryan for Codd (63).

Wexford: P Quigley; I Reilly, E Hughes, P Keavey; C Sinnott, R Donohoe, J Nolan; J Dunne, K O’Mahony; C Fanning, C Gethings, S Hyland; C Carley, S O’Brien, D Rossiter. Subs: O Moore for O’Mahony (53), J Kennedy for Rossiter (54), J Gethings for Hyland (57), R Wickham for Fanning (58).

Referee: Owen Beehan (Kilkenny).