Wexford 2-17 Antrim 1-10Two goals within the space of two minutes midway through the first half set Wexford up for this comfortable 10-point victory at Wexford Park yesterday.
Up to that point the home side had struggled for scores, with only the long-range accuracy of Paul Codd from placed balls keeping them in front.
It was a strange-looking Wexford line-up with so many familiar faces missing, but John Conran's new charges showed plenty of character and determination to snatch the two points. Playing into the strong wind in the second half they still managed to control the proceedings.
It was a learning experience for many of Antrim manager Dinny Cahill's young players, as they missed the experience of the Dunloy contingent.
"We have the talent to compete and I've no doubt when the big names are back we will make our presence felt in the latter stages of the group games," said Cahill.
Wexford led 0-7 to 0-3 after 25 minutes, with four of those points coming from Paul Codd - two frees and two 65s - all of this after Aidan Delargy had opened the scoring with an Antrim point less than 30 seconds into the game.
Both sets of players were finding it extremely difficult in the strong and bitterly cold wind blowing directly down the pitch, with Wexford having first advantage of the elements.
The wind certainly played a part in Wexford's opening goal after 26 minutes when a speculative shot from Anthony O'Leary seemed to swerve, deceiving goalkeeper Damien Quinn and finishing in the corner of the net.
The second arrived two minutes later when a cross-field ball from Paul Codd broke over the defence, leaving his brother Robbie all alone, and the debutant full forward finished clinically to leave the home side 2-7 to 0-3 ahead.
While Antrim responded with a point close to the break, three further points through Rory Jacob, Tomás Mahon and Michael Jordan meant Wexford led 2-10 to 0-4 at the interval.
After Rory Jacob had increased Wexford's lead within two minutes of the restart, Antrim came more into the game, mainly through the fine hurling of Ciarán Herron in the half-back line. But they never got within touching distance. When Liam Watson mishit a 20-metre free after 51 minutes that was effectively that.
WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; D O'Connor, D Ryan, M Travers; R McCarthy, K Rossiter, M O'Leary; T Mahon (0-1), P Codd (0-6, four frees, two 65s); M Jacob, L Murphy, M Jordan (0-2); B Lambert (0-2), R Codd (1-1), R Jacob (0-3). Subs: A O'Leary (1-1) for Murphy, P Carley for Mahon, J O'Connor (0-1) for P Codd, B Goff for M Jacob, D Berry for R Codd.
ANTRIM: D Quinn; J Campbell, K Kelly, M Magill; M McCambridge, K McKeegan (0-1, free), C Herron (0-1, 65); B Herron, G Bell; M Scullion, M Herron, J Scullion; A Delargy (0-2), B McFall (0-2, one sideline), L Watson (1-3, two frees). Subs: S Kelly (0-1) for J Scullion, C Connolly for M Herron, A Ó Cairealláin for Kelly.
Referee: M Wadding (Waterford)
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