Walsh Cup (SH) Final Dublin 1-19 Wexford 0-16: Paul Ryan turned on the style with a personal tally of 0-12 as he inspired Dublin to a six -point victory over Wexford in this lacklustre senior hurling final at Bellefield yesterday afternoon.
Ryan showed the way with splendid accuracy from frees which was in stark contrast to the home side who missed three very scoreable frees at crucial stages in both periods.
Wexford’s failure to take a number of chances in the first 20 minutes eventually cost them dearly.
Dublin really exploded into the game in the closing 10 minutes of the opening period as they rattled in 1-3 without reply to move 1-9 to 0-6 in front at the interval.
Sub David O’Callaghan eluded three defenders before firing to the net from an acute angle and the visitors added points from Ryan, Keaney and Mark Schutte.
Manager Anthony Daly must have been happy with their overall performance, for their hurling was slicker, while their ability to create space for the pass and score was a decisive difference between the two teams.
Within one minute of the restart a Ryan pointed free increased his side’s lead, and while the home side responded with points from sub Gareth Sinnott and Paul Morris, they were unable to cut into their opponents lead who responded with a further Ryan pointed free.
While Lee Chin was proving influential around midfield with a superb long-range point, Wexford’s lack of discipline in defence was continually punished by Ryan’s accuracy from a variety of angles as Dublin maintained their grip.
Kildare claim title
Kildare defeated Meath 2-11 to 0-13 in the final of the Kehoe Cup yesterday in Trim.
Meath were ahead, 0-7 to 0-6, at the break, but conceded two second-half goals that ultimately proved decisive.
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