Sun shines on Wexford

THE hurling championship's blessed progress was maintained yesterday when after two week's interlude for foul weather and football, the sun again came out to shine on the hurlers of Wexford in the All Ireland semi final.

Nineteen years without a provincial title and 28 since they last won the All Ireland, the newly crowned Leinster champions disposed of a disappointing Galway challenge, 2-13 to 3-7, before a record semi finals attendance of 61,937 at Croke Park. They will meet Limerick, who beat Antrim 1-17 to 0-13, in next month's All Ireland final.

Few would have thought that last year's memorable scenes when Clare bridged a gap of 81 years, could be emulated so quickly but there has been much of the quality of Clare about Wexford this year. Their progress has been similar, starting with an unpromising League exit and including gradual improvement and a sequence of improbable results.

They will certainly have momentum going into the final. Yesterday, their supporters were the dominant force at Croke Park and put the Limerick numbers into eclipse for the first time this year. From early morning, the traffic moved north from the various tributary roads and along the N11. A large toy panda in Wexford jersey surveyed the passing, flag bedecked traffic just outside Ballyedmond and the purple and gold sprouted in profusion even through Wicklow.

After a match in which they showed far more impressive marksmanship than Galway, the county will now be preparing for another journey in four weeks time. Wexford's teamwork was striking and their greater cohesion contrasted with Galway's inability to take charge of a match that was available until the closing minutes.

A goal in the 62nd minute, by veteran Billy Byrne, set the scene for Wexford's win and although Galway struggled to the end, they were unable to haul back the match.

Victorious manager Liam Griffin has achieved remarkable things with this team. Seeing in them attributes invisible to most commentators only a few months ago, he has changed their style and made them believe in themselves. Under his care, they have flourished dramatically.

Tastefully attired in shorts on the warm afternoon, he explained the latest triumph of his, stewardship. "We battled and battled hard even when we lost sticks. It was a war of attrition more so than a good game of hurling. What we showed above all was that we have developed such a strong character as a team that it is not going to die. So far we have proved that we are no bad team. They reminded me today of the Wexford of the 1950s and 1960s, gutsy team performance."

For Galway, it was the third year running that they had lost to first time semi finalists (Clare and Offaly were the others). Manager Matt Murphy reflected on a couple of losses during the match but refused to make excuses. "To lose players of the calibre of Joe Cooney and Joe Rabbitte in a game like that was crucial," he said. "We are not whingers. We will bounce back"

Limerick's dressing room was less than bubbly after a seven point win over Antrim, the side they beat by 18 two years ago. Manager Tom Ryan was severe in his verdict afterwards.

"Our forwards could not hope to win an all All Ireland with a display like that," he said. "They, were inept and were only going through the motions. If any one has the idea that this was some kind of practice match for us they would only have to look into our dressing room. Our fellas are drained."

His Antrim counterpart, Dominic McKinley, was disappointed but keen to persevere after a display which represented a great improvement on the county's more recent semi final outings. "I would like to stay on in the job. My two years' term is up but I will carry on if I am so appointed."