National Hurling League Division One/ Wexford 2-12 Waterford 3-8: The 2008 Allianz National Hurling League got off to a lively start at Walsh Park yesterday with holders Waterford going down to narrow defeat against a resilient Wexford side.
Considering this was a sticky pitch in early February, the 70 minutes' hurling was entertaining and ended in a fever of excitement with the home side desperately trying to reclaim a match they had appeared to control for most of the afternoon.
Although they led by two at half-time, Waterford probably lost the initiative in the first half when they allowed the visitors score disproportionately to the quality of possession they were getting and missed good chances at the other end.
The squanderlust didn't end there. Eoin Kelly went on to have - euphemistically - a frustrating day, ending up with eight of his side's 12 wides, including five straight misses in the second half before Shane O'Sullivan shared the burden of profligacy with a the last-chance free that sailed past the post, taking with it the prospect of a draw.
John Meyler was satisfied with his team's performance. Although the air was thick with the self-restraint and caveats appropriate to this time of the year, Wexford played a hard-working and thoughtful game, using the ball well in possession and otherwise contesting it energetically. The defence got the plaudits for a combative display.
Speaking afterwards, Keith Rossiter, who with Willie Doran at centre back formed a good, hard spine in the backs, agreed he and his colleagues in the full-backs are forming a solid line and proved it against some of the best forwards in the game. "We worked well as a unit and the six defenders worked well as a unit. They're big men, but Paul Roche in the corner loves high ball."
It wasn't all gloom for Justin McCarthy's side. They haven't been back in training for long and are missing senior statesmen, as well as one of last year's prize discoveries, Stephen Molumphy who's overseas for a few months.
There were some encouraging displays from this season's rookies. Richie Foley played well at full back - a position he's rarely played - although David O'Connor's travails in attempting the switch into attack didn't make the match the sternest of tests.
Shane Casey at corner forward took his first-half goal with brio, suggesting he can translate his green-flag exploits with last year's intermediates on to the senior stage.
Although not a newcomer, Shane O'Sullivan's display at centrefield was forceful and featured good striking, which held out the prospect of his making a move from the margins in the months ahead. The versatile Jack Kennedy also played well at left-wing forward.
Goals rained down in the first half, helping the lead change hands four times and providing a good variety. Stephen Nolan's eighth-minute strike went in off goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy, whereas Eoin Kelly's penalty nearly took the net off its hooks.
Casey's cheeky goal, involving a change of grip when a point looked the obvious ambition, was conjured out of nothing.
Eoin Quigley, who tormented Declan Prendergast in the first half, charged through the middle in the 25th minute and boomed off an unstoppable shot. "I don't get many chances and I don't get many goals," said Quigley when asked to explain what he had been thinking of, letting one go from distance.
It was left to the professor of goals, Dan Shanahan, to add the fifth and final one a couple of minutes later when he reacted quickly to a Séamus Prendergast shot that had come off the post despite a nearly successful challenge by Dermot Flynn. There was almost another in the 31st minute when Kelly threaded in from an impossible looking position only to have it ruled out, to his rage, for over-carrying.
Just two points in it at the break, 3-4 to 2-5, the match had given Wexford more reason for satisfaction in that they had held on at stages when they appeared in danger of being outgunned.
John Mullane made an appearance in the second half and delivered two points, but the attack failed to click overall. Nonetheless, Waterford were maintaining their lead and despite his wayward shooting Kelly was working hard in a withdrawn role.
It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that the match began to turn. Having levelled a couple of times, Wexford hit the front with a fine shot from the precise hurl of Rory Jacob (four points and no wides).
Casey provided a point for Mullane to equalise and with the match dissolving into great excitement and slight incoherence Nolan pointed a free and Jacob swept over his fourth from the right wing. Casey cut the margin to a point, but that was it.
Referring to some of the flak the team had been getting after last year's Kilkenny persecutions, Keith Rossiter said afterwards: "That point was the difference between getting 'ate' and a pat on the back."
WEXFORD: D Flynn; M Travers, K Rossiter, P Roche; R Kehoe (0-1), W Doran, D Lyng; M Jacob, J O'Connor (0-1); J Breen (0-1), E Quigley (1-2), S Nolan (1-3, goal and two points from frees); MJ Furlong, D O'Connor, R Jacob (0-4). Subs: T Dwyer for O'Connor 58 mins, D Redmond for Breen 59 mins, D Morton for Furlong 63 mins, P White for Roche 73 mins.
WATERFORD: C Hennessy; E Murphy, R Foley, A Kearney; B Phelan, D Prendergast, J Kennedy; M Walsh, S O'Sullivan (0-1, free); D Shanahan (1-1), S Prendergast (0-1), E Kelly (1-1, goal a penalty and free); S Walsh (0-1), B Farrell, S Casey (1-1). Subs: J Mullane (0-2)for Farrell 41 mins, J Nagle for S Walsh 49 mins, K Moran for D Prendergast 55 mins.
Referee: J Sexton(Cork).
