Cork survive strong Wexford comeback

NHL Division One A/ Cork 1-17 Wesford 0-18: Cork continued their push for a knock-out place with this hard-fought victory over a determined Wexford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

The home side appeared to be sauntering to a comfortable victory, when leading by 1-16 to 0-10 following Pat Cronin's 43rd-minute point, but Cork went another 22 minutes without adding to their tally.

In this period Wexford, inspired by outstanding full back Declan Ruth, scored seven unanswered points to storm into contention. Despite losing free-taker Paul Carley through injury early in the second half, substitute Barry Lambert proved more than an adequate replacement in this important department.

Gradually he and Rory Jacob, who ran the Cork defence ragged throughout, knocked over the scores which helped reduce the deficit. With six minutes left Wexford trailed just two points, 1-16 to 0-17, before substitute Cathal Naughton eased home nerves somewhat with their final point.

Jacob was unfortunate to see another effort clip an upright and drop wide, and while Lambert's free cut the gap to two points, time ran out on the visitors.

All this contrasted sharply with Cork's blistering start to the second half. They quickly extended a three-point advantage to eight following points by Peter Kelly and a super sideline cut from captain Kieran Murphy.

Sandwiched in between came the only goal. Tom Kenny picked out Naughton with a pass and he made inroads along the endline from the left before beating goalkeeper Dermot Flynn with a powerful drive from an acute angle.

That made the score 1-14 to 0-9 but Wexford showed plenty of commitment and no little skill as they rattled their hosts.

A Ronan Curran-inspired Cork led by 0-12 to 0-9 at the end of a pedestrian opening half. Neil Ronan and Joe Deane carried the main threat inside, particularly the elusive Deane, who notched a couple of exquisite points.

Wexford's full-forward line was also full of promise with corner men Carley and Jacob, in particular, posing a real threat. Cork led by 0-7 to 0-3 after 17 minutes. Wexford's defiance was reflected in the way midfielder Diarmuid Lyng cut a sideline ball from distance way over the crossbar for a glorious point three minutes before the break.

And visiting manager John Meyler can take a lot of heart from a display which augurs well for Wexford in the summer.

CORK: D Óg Cusack; C O'Connor, D O'Sullivan, B Murphy; K Hartnett, R Curran, P Kelly (0-1); T Kenny, K Murphy (Erin's Own) (0-1, sideline); P Cronin (0-2), N McCarthy (0-1), T McCarthy; K Murphy (Sarsfields) (0-1), N Ronan (0-5, two frees, one 65), J Deane (0-4, one free). Subs: C Naughton (1-2)for Murphy (Sarsfields) inj (24 mins), S Óg Ó hAilpin for Murphy (Erins Own) (45 mins), J Gardiner for Kenny (61 mins), E Murphy for T McCarthy (65 mins).

WEXFORD: D Flynn; M Travers, D Ruth, P Roche; W Doran, K Rossiter, C Kenny; D Stamp, D Lyng (0-2, one sideline); M Jacob (0-1), M Jordan, R McCarthy; P Carley (0-5, three frees), R Kehoe (0-1), R Jacob (0-5). Subs: K Kavanagh for Roche (42 mins), B Lambert (0-4, three frees)for Carley inj (44 mins), S Nolan for Stamp (46 mins), M Doyle for Kehoe (48 mins), P Doran for Jordan (63 mins).

Referee: M Haverty(Galway).