Wexford turn in an assured performance

Wexford turned in an assured performance at Parnell Park on Saturday to book their place in the final. Their 15-point victory before a modest attendance underlined their supremacy despite a defiant showing from Antrim early in the second half.

Sean Delargy's goal had given Antrim some hope but a subsequent miss by Karl Stewart put paid to any comeback from the underdogs who were left with too much to do after Wexford had taken a 1-10 to 0-2 lead going in to the second half.

Wexford had registered two early wides before Redmond Barry's opening score in the second minute and it didn't take long for the team, several of whom had graced Croke Park a week beforehand for the seniors against Tipperay, to get into their stride.

Midway through the first half they put five points on the board with the Antrim defence having their work cut out against a very mobile Wexford attack. Then came their first goal in the 15th minute when Barry Lambert, Wexford's leading scorer with seven points, sending in a sideline ball near to the Antrim goal. Darren Stamp came storming through and duly dispatched the ball past Garth Magee.

Ciaran O'Connell, the Antrim full forward, finally put his team on the board with a point but Wexford countered once more with points from Rory Jacob, Barry Lambert and Redmond Barry.

Delargy netted after connecting with a high ball sent in by Antrim midfielder Martin Scullion. But Stewart's missed chance followed by a fine save by Matty White after Paddy Kelly had made an incisive run from defence meant that Antrim were never able to fully capitalise on their possession.

Wexford finished the game on a high note when deep into injury time substitute Tomβs Mahon cut in from the right before crashing the ball into the back of the net.

WEXFORD: M White; D O'Connor, N Maguire, R Kirwan; R Mallon, B McGee, T Kelly; D Stamp (1-0), G Coleman; R Jacob (0-3), N Lambert, M Jacob; B Lambert (0-8, two frees, one 65), D Lyng (0-3), R Barry (0-2). Subs: T Mahon (1-0) for M Jacob (31 mins), P Carley (0-1) for Coleman (35 mins), P Donoghue for Kirwan (56 mins), S Murphy for White (58 mins), J O'Connor for Lyng (60 mins).

ANTRIM: G Magee; J Campbell, P Martin, C Herra; D McAuley (0-1), P Kelly, C McGourty (0-1); C Austin, M Scullion; M McClements, G Bell, L Watson (0-1); S Delargy (1-0), C O'Connell (0-1), K McMullan. Subs: K Stewart for O'Connell (24 mins), P McKiernan for Austin (27 mins), C O'Grady (0-1) for M McClements (24 mins), T Austin for McHugh (52 mins), C Tomelty for Kelly (56 mins).

Referee: S McMahon (Clare).