Outstanding O'Grady inspires Wexford

UNDER-21 FOOTBALL LEINSTER CHAMPIONSHIP: Wexford 1-15 Louth 2-8OUTSTANDING KEVIN O'Grady inspired Wexford to a well-deserved four-point victory at Enniscorthy last night.

Wexford turned in a tremendous opening 35 minutes which they controlled, particularly in the second quarter, when they had the visitors’ defence under considerable pressure. The sides were deadlocked 0-3 each after 14 minutes, but then O’Grady kicked two delightful points. Although a Kevin Rogers point kept Louth in touch, a cracking goal from corner-back Conor Carty handed the initiative to the home side. He found the net after his initial effort rebounded off the crossbar. Wexford went on to build a commanding 1-10 to 0-4 interval lead.

Louth started the second half with more urgency, with a goal from a Jimmy McEneaney penalty three minutes in handing them a lifeline. They had reduced the deficit to four points, 1-11 to 1-7, when they had wing-back James Craven dismissed on a second yellow.

Wexford regained the initiative through the dominance of Michael O’Regan and Matthew O’Hanlon in midfield.

A string of points from O’Regan, Liam Óg McGovern and O’Grady extended their lead to 1-15 to 1-7 before a goal from a second McEneaney penalty handed the visitors a lifeline, but the home side held out easily.

WEXFORD: R Farrell; M Furlong, S Gaul, C Carty (1-0); D Butler, J Breen, L Óg McGovern (0-1); M OHanlon (0-1), M O'Regan (0-5, frees); D Murphy (0-1), E Kent, P Kelly (0-1); K O'Grady (0-6, 3 frees), C Kehoe. Sub: T Rossiter for Murphy (51).

LOUTH: J Flanagan; P Bannon, D O'Hanlon, P Englishby; J Craven, L Shevlin, D Moloney; J Califf, S O'Hanlon; A McDonnell (0-1, free), J McEneaney (2-3, 2 pens, 3 frees), E O'Neill (0-1); K Rogers (0-3, 1 free), M Rogers, D Kierans. Subs: R Moore for S O'Hanlon (17); C Hoey for D O'Hanlon (22); B Hamilton for D Kierans (37); E O'Connor for O'Neill (48); T Hand for Englishby (52).

Referee: B Hickey (Kildare).