WITH nothing at stake except a little pride, Wexford and a second string Clare team served up an entertaining Division One match at Cusack Park, Ennis, yesterday.
Goals in the second half dashed the hopes of the home side following a lively first half which saw Wexford ahead by a single point 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval. With both counties already destined to play their hurling in the second division, the game was used by the Clare mentors to try out some new and old talent before picking their team to meet Cork in the Munster championship.
Wexford had the assistance of a strong breeze in the opening half - they were four points ahead, due in large part to the accuracy of corner forward Tom Dempsey, one of the stars of the match.
It took Clare 10 minutes to settle down with a point from centre forward McNamara. There was never more than a point or two between the sides and at half time Wexford led by 0-8 to 0-7.
A toss in concentration by goal keeper Brendan McNamara and corner back Lorcan Hassett saw a low, partially mishit sideline cut by Tom Dempsey sail straight into the Clare net.
Clare, however, fought back and with 15 minutes left in the game they levelled the scores. Two quick points by McNamara and Andrew Whelan put them a point ahead. However, opportunist Billy Byrne who had come on as a substitute for Wexford followed up a lobbing ball, side stepped the Clare goalkeeper and Wexford were ahead 2-11 to 0-15.
Two minutes from the end they scored their third goal through a combined movement between Larry Murphy and midfielder, Adrian Fenton.
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