Three see red as Wexford's second-half goals sees them home

Wexford 2-15 Carlow 0-16:Carlow finished with 13 men while one Wexford player was red carded in this fractious tie between these south neighbours at Dr Cullen Park yesterday, in a game decided by two second-half goals for the visitors.

John Meyler’s Carlow dominated most of the opening half but after racing into a 0-7 to 0-3 lead, lost their way, allowing Wexford back into the game with a series of pointed frees from corner forward Gary Moore.

Things boiled over on the half-hour mark when a number of players from both sides became involved in a fracas. Offaly referee Brian Gavin issued straight red cards to Carlow forward Marty Kavanagh and Wexford full back Tomás Waters.

Wexford led 0-9 to 0-7 at the break and when, in the 41st minute, Paul Morris struck for a goal it made it 1-9 to 0-8.

But resilient Carlow wiped away the arrears following a series of home points before a neat point from play by substitute Craig Doyle put the home side back in front on 54 minutes.

But when Carlow’s effective full back Eoin Nolan was sent off for a second yellow card the game was up for Carlow and the home defence was opened up as Rory Jacob raced through to crash home an insurance goal late on.