Gaelic Games

Wexford enjoy their biggest championship victory with 23-point win over Carlow

John Hegarty’s side continue good league form to set up quarter-final meeting with Louth

Wexford's Seán Nolan celebrates scoring a goal during the Leinster SFC first-round game against Carlow at Chadwick’s Wexford Park. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
Wexford's Seán Nolan celebrates scoring a goal during the Leinster SFC first-round game against Carlow at Chadwick’s Wexford Park. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
Brendan Furlong at Wexford Park
Sun Apr 07 2024 - 17:54
Leinster SFC: Wexford 4-19 Carlow 0-8

Wexford claimed their biggest victory in championship history as they handed Carlow a 23-point hammering in this totally one-sided Leinster senior football championship opening-round game at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Wexford now look forward to a second-round clash with Louth next Sunday, but they would have expected a much tougher challenge from a Carlow side which threw in the towel early in the second half.

Despite a slow start when wind assisted, Wexford soon had a ruthless edge about them as their quick flowing movement aided by excellent finishing saw them dismantle the Carlow challenge.

Carlow held a lot of the possession during the opening minutes with a Colm Moulton third-minute pointed free putting them in front, the only time they led in the game. But once Wexford began to push forward with Seán Nolan, Niall Hughes, Mark Rossiter and Eoghan Nolan landing points as Wexford went 0-7 to 0-3 up after 25 minutes.

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Wexford were creating chances with Carlow’s lack of discipline in defence not helping their cause as Seán Nolan continued to pile on the points for the home side, who went in with a nine point interval lead, 0-12 to 0-3.

Wexford had two or three chances of goals during that opening 35 minutes, but excellent goalkeeping from Johnny Furey denied Seán Nolan, Mark Rossiter and sub Ben Brosnan with superb saves.

Wexford showed composure and ruthlessness in the second half, never allowing Carlow into the game as Liam Coleman and Niall Hughes continued to dominate in midfield.

One expected a Carlow second half-reaction but they were quickly reeled in, with manager Niall Carew experiencing one of his most disappointing days as he saw his side totally overwhelmed.

However, the second half turned out more one-sided than the opening 35 minutes as the home side’s ruthlessness shone through their play as they put Carlow to the sword.

Wexford's Seán Nolan is challenged by Carlow's Niall Hickey. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
Wexford's Seán Nolan is challenged by Carlow's Niall Hickey. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho

Brosnan and Colm Hulton exchanged points inside the first four minutes, but one minute later Seán Nolan got on the end of a great movement instigated by Kevin O’Grady to find the net from close range.

By the 57th minute Wexford had swept into a 1-15 to 0-5 lead when sub Jonathan Bealin goaled.

With Carlow unable to bring any composure to their game, Wexford added two further goals through Mark Rossiter to coast clear, with the visitors managing just three consolation points in between through Hutton (two) and Paddy McDonnell.

To add to their woes, Carlow had defender Mikey Bambrick sent off on a second yellow card two minutes from the end.

Carew said it was an extremely disappointing result.

‘Twenty-three minutes in we were three points down, but then mistakes crept in, and when that happens one is going to be punished,” said Carlow boss Carew.

‘We were nine points down at the interval, but more mistakes crept in during the second half. We stopped looking for the ball and when that happens a side is going to punish you. Our handling was way off, something I cannot explain, but we must now regroup and look to the Tailteann Cup. It was a disappointing result and embarrassing as well.”

Wexford manager John Hegarty was happy to continue their winning run from the league.

‘The big difference for us on the day was that we were clinical. We only had one first-half wide, with the forwards clinical in front of goal. The lads themselves will not be happy with just this result, they will now look forward to Louth and continuing our momentum.”

WEXFORD: R Tubritt; E Porter, G Sheehan, D Lyons; K O’Grady (0-2), D Furlong, G Malone (0-1); L Coleman (0-2), N Hughes (0-1); P Hughes, E Nolan (0-1), M Rossiter (2-2, 0-1 mark); G Cullen, S Nolan (1-7, 0-6f, 0-1m), C Kinsella.

Subs: B Brosnan (0-3) for Kinsella (22 mins); C Walsh for Cullen, J Bealin (1-0) for Nolan (both 54); L O’Connor for Sheehan (60); G Staples for Lyons (67).

CARLOW: J Furey; C Byrne, M Furey, J Moore; M Bambrick, C Doyle, S Clarke; J Murphy, N Hickey; A Amond (0-1), C Hulton (0-4, 0-2f), C Crowley (0-1, free); R Dunphy (0-1), J Clarke, P McDonnell (0-1).

Subs: D Curran for Clarke (35 mins); C Lomax for Moore (50); E Molloy for Murphy (54); K Murphy for Hickey (60); B McMahon for McDonnell (67).

Referee: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary).