Conor McDonald sees Wexford past Antrim into Under-21 final

Antrim 1-8 Wexford 1-20

Conor McDonald led from the front as Wexford advanced to another Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland Under-21 hurling final on Saturday afternoon.

JJ Doyle’s Slaneysiders had 12 points to spare against a dogged Antrim at Semple Stadium.

McDonald scored seven points and created Conor Devitt’s second half goal as the Leinster champions advanced with ease.

Wexford played well within themselves but crucially got the job done against their Ulster opponents, who finished with 14 players when Damon McMullan was dismissed for a second bookable offence at the death.

Antrim shocked Wexford at this stage of the competition two years ago but their manager, Kevin Ryan, didn’t fancy his team’s chances much this time around.

Waterford native Ryan predicted a "massive hiding" for the Saffrons, in his final game in charge of the county.

That never really materialised but Wexford won pulling up to put themselves within touching distance of a first All-Ireland Under-21 crown since 1965.

Conscious of trying to keep it as tight as possible, Ryan deployed his wing forwards, Maoi Connolly and Michael Dudley, as sweepers to provide extra cover.

Wexford, despite registering 13 of their 19 wides in the first half, still did pretty much as they pleased although it did take them 17 minutes to register a score from play in the first half.

Eoghan Campbell opened Antrim’s account from play five minutes before the break with a long-range effort but the Ulster champions were always playing catch-up.

Wexford’s goal chances were being restricted as Antrim flooded their backline but Dunbar, who scored two goals in the Leinster final victory over Kilkenny, flashed a shot wide approaching half-time.

Antrim finished the half better against the breeze, however, as McNaughton’s free left five points between the sides at the interval - 0-8 to 0-3.

Wexford were on the front foot quickly after half-time, as Padraig Foley registered the opening score of the half.

It was followed by Devitt’s 34th-minute goal, brilliantly created by McDonald with an offload reminiscent of the magnificent flick that created Colin Dunbar’s goal against Offaly in the Leinster championship - a score that went viral.

Maoi Connolly registered a long-distance score for Antrim as they kept plugging away but Wexford had far too much class.

French, Dunbar, Kevin Foley and McDonald (free) added points as the gap went out to 12 - 1-13 to 0-4.

Antrim replied with points from Saul McCaughan, from a free, and Damon McMullan but it was token resistance.

ANTRIM: C Heyden; T Ó'Ciaráin, T Burns, D O'Hara; G Walsh, E Campbell (0-2), R McCambridge (0-1); J Connolly, D McMullan (0-1); M Connolly (0-1), C McNaughton (1-2, 0-2f), M Dudley; P McBride, S McCaughan (0-1f), J O'Connell.

Subs: C Ross for J Connolly (43), D Traynor for McBride (47), D Murphy for O’Connell (50).

WEXFORD: O O'Leary; S Donohoe, L Ryan, E Conroy; J White, P Foley (0-1), J O'Connor; C Devitt (1-2), T French (0-3); A Kenny (0-2), K Foley (0-2), J Cash; C Dunbar (0-2), C McDonald (0-7, 4f, 1 65, 1 sl), P Sutton.

Subs: J Firman for Cash (49), S Murphy for Sutton (49), S Kelly for A Kenny (53), L McDonald for O’Connor (53), S Kenny (0-1) for K Foley (60).

Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny)