Wexford prove that they’re here to stay

Wexford 3-15 Waterford 2-15: Liam Dunne's Wexford are through to the All-Ireland senior hurling quarter-finals after a three-point victory over South-East rivals Waterford this evening.

The Slaneysiders sent champions Clare crashing out last weekend and they claimed another notable scalp in front of 18,964 spectators at Nowlan Park, in what was the first championship meeting between the counties since 2008.

In an entertaining second half, Wexford were seven points clear when midfielder David Redmond surged forward to crack home a 41st minute goal.

Redmond’s brilliant strike opened up a 3-10 to 0-12 lead for Wexford but a brace of goals from Colin Dunford brought Waterford right back into contention.

Dunford’s second goal, batted home from close range in the 49th minute, put Waterford back in front in a seesaw battle 2-14 to 3-10.

But Wexford were quick to regain the whip hand and after prolific Paul Morris drew them level with a 50th minute point, the Ferns St Aidan’s clubman added three further points to establish a three-point lead.

Stephen Molumphy responded for Waterford with their final score of the game, in the 56th minute, with just one further point converted in the final quarter of an hour.

And what a score it was from sub Ian Byrne - who lashed over a long-range score from inside his own half with four minutes left.

Despite registering a huge tally of 15 wides, Wexford held on to set up a quarter-final showdown against Limerick in Thurles next weekend.

The game had looked set for deadlock at half-time before Wexford struck for their second goal to establish a 2-9 to 0-12 lead.

Liam Og McGovern, a constant threat inside, transferred a handpass to unmarked Conor McDonald and the teenager finished from close range in stoppage time.

That goal was a fitting end to a gripping first half that was level on five occasions - including three times in the opening ten minutes.

McDonald’s point pushed Wexford ahead before Paul Morris struck for the game’s opening goal, latching onto a pinpoint delivery from midfield before lashing a shot past O’Keeffe.

Wexford, who had scoring contributions from all six forwards in the first half, were now four points clear - 1-4 to 0-3 - but Waterford remained in touch through the free-taking of Pauric Mahony.

By half-time, five of Waterford’s six starting forwards had registered scores but manager Derek McGrath was forced into a 15th minute substitute when Shane Walsh was replaced by Gavin O’Brien.

Wexford, too, used their bench in the first half as Harry Kehoe, extra-time goal hero against Clare, was replaced by Diarmuid O’Keeffe.

Kehoe had been drafted in to start the game ahead of O’Keeffe but the roles were soon reversed and Wexford suffered an injury blow of their own approaching half-time when experienced defender Keith Rossiter limped off and was replaced by Willie Devereux.

Waterford ate into that four-point deficit and eventually drew level at 0-9 to 1-6 by the 25th minute.

But Waterford will have been unhappy with the concession of some first half scores, particularly with Wexford being rewarded for workrate and turnovers.

Another Mahony free pushed Waterford a point clear, 0-10 to 1-6, and when Jake Dillon pointed from play, they were two clear.

But Wexford owned the remainder of the half - outscoring Waterford by 1-3 to 0-1 in the final seven minutes plus stoppage time.

2013 All-Ireland minor medallist Austin Gleeson registered his second point of the opening half but Wexford had scores from O’Keeffe, Morris (free) and McGovern before McDonald struck for that crucial goal.

Waterford: S O'Keeffe; N Connors, L Lawlor, P Prendergast; S Fives, K Moran, D Fives; M Walsh, T De Burca; S O'Sullivan, P Mahony (0-7, 6f, 1 65), A Gleeson (0-3); S Walsh (0-1), C Dunford (2-1), J Dillon (0-2).

Subs: G O’Brien for S Walsh (15), S Molumphy (0-1) for D Fives (43), S Prendergast for Dillon (44), M O’Neill for Mahony (56), S Bennett for Lawlor (62).

Wexford: M Fanning; L Ryan, M O'Hanlon, K Rossiter; A Shore, E Moore, C Kenny; D Redmond (1-0), L Chin; H Kehoe, P Doran (0-2), J Guiney (0-1); P Morris (1-6, 0-3f), C McDonald (1-2), L Og McGovern (0-2).

Subs: D O’Keeffe (0-1) for Kehoe (23), W Devereux for Rossiter (27), I Byrne (0-1) for Devereux (54), G Sinnott for Redmond (65), R Jacob for McGovern (67).

Referee: C Lyons (Cork)