Wexford's promotion hopes come to an end

Carlow 2-11; Wexford 0-12:The formbook was shredded as Carlow crushed Wexford's promotion hopes with two first-half goals. Wexford needed a draw to ensure Division One football for the first time, but Carlow prevailed at Dr Cullen Park with only their second win of the campaign.

After a slow start Carlow upped the tempo and opened the Wexford defence for the perfect finish to the half. Trailing by 0-7 to 0-5, Johnny Nevin and Seán Kavanagh combined to set up Mark Carpenter who slid the ball into the net. Brian Kelly quickly followed up with another goal for a 2-5 to 0-8 lead at the break.

Peter Kiernan and Kelly, with two points, were on target in the opening seven minutes of the second half to increase Carlow's lead.

Wexford had to wait until the 13th minute for their opening score of the half, a Mattie Forde point, and when a Scott Doran effort reduced the deficit to five points there were brief hopes of a Wexford recovery.

However, when Johnny Kavanagh responded with a great solo point any hopes of a Wexford victory were shattered. Garvan Ware added a Carlow point in between two efforts from Mattie Forde and substitute Diarmuid Kinsella. Wexford's John Hegarty had a late penalty knocked away for a 45 by goalkeeper James Clarke.

Wexford were devastated at failing to secure promotion to Division One. "We got the ideal start but for some strange reason lost our way after that. The two goals in the lead-up to half-time were killer blows," said a dejected Wexford manager, Ger Halligan.

CARLOW: J Clarke; J Hickey, B Farrell, A Corcoran; S O'Brien, J Byrne, J Kavanagh (0-1); P Kiernan (0-2), T Walsh (0-1); M Carpenter (1-0), W Quinlan (0-1), S Kavanagh; J Nevin, G Ware (0-2), B Kelly (1-4). Sub: K. Walker for O'Brien.

WEXFORD: G Morris; C Morris, P Wallace, M Carley; D Murphy, D Breen, P Forde; T Howlin, W Carley; R Barry, J Berry, M Forde (0-7); S Doran (0-2), J Hegarty (0-2), P Carley. Subs: D Kinsella (0-1) for P Carley; N Murphy for M Carley; J Lawlor for Howlin; P Berry for Doran.

Referee: M O'Brien (Fermanagh).