GAA: ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Wexford 1-16 Cork 1-15WEXFORD GAINED a league lifeline as they rediscovered some pride at Wexford Park yesterday. From their previous five games Wexford were pointless but this victory lifts them level with Offaly.

Trailing by five points at half-time, Wexford were more determined in the second half but even a weakened Cork side will be disappointed as this defeat ends their league final chance.

At times during the first 10 minutes it looked as if Cork would cruise to victory for they led 0-5 to 0-1, with Michael Cussen pointing in the opening minute when he should have goaled, while Ben O’Connor added two frees, with further points from Paudie O’Sullivan and Brian Murphy. Paul Roche had opened the home side’s account after five minutes with a free. With Ben O’Connor showing accuracy from frees, it was Cork who led 0-8 to 0-4 after 27 minutes. One minute later Cathal Naughton powered a shot past goalkeeper Niall Breen and Cork led 1-9 to 0-7 at the break.

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Cork increased their lead through a Pat Horgan free but from there Wexford’s David Redmond became more prominent in midfield, while Darren Stamp and PJ Nolan began to trouble the visitors. Wexford struck with points from Nolan and a Paul Roche 65, with Stephen Banville finding the net in the 39th minute.

A Roche free had the sides level one minute later, while a 42nd-minute Jim Berry pointed free put Wexford in front. Although the sides were level on three further occasions, it was substitute Nickey Kirwan, with two points (one free), who edge Wexford into a 1-15 to 1-13 lead with six minutes left. Roche with a long free extended it to three points. Two Ben O’Connor pointed frees gave Cork a lifeline, but Wexford held out.

WEXFORD: N Breen; P Roche (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), M O'Hanlon, K Rossiter; L Prendergast, D Stamp, C Kenny; D Redmond (0-2), E Quigley; P J Nolan (0-3), W Doran, S Banville (1-0); R Jacob (0-1), H Kehoe, J Berry (0-4, frees). Subs: B Doyle for Doran (35 mins), N Kirwan (0-2, 0-1 free) for Berry (58 mins), T Waters for Banville (62 mins), C Farrell for Quigley (70 mins), M Jacob for Kehoe (70 mins).

CORK: A Nash; S O'Neill, E Dillon, C O'Sullivan; M Ellis, R Curran, J Nagle; B Murphy (0-1), T Kenny (0-1); B O'Connor (0-9, 0-8 frees), B Cooper (0-1), C Naughton (1-0); P O'Sullivan (0-1), M Cussen (0-1), P Horgan (0-1). Subs: C McCarthy for Horgan (50 mins), P Cronin for C O'Sullivan (54 mins), K Murphy for Cussen (61 mins).

Referee: A Kelly (Galway).