IT was another big occasion for the Wexford hurling supporters in the attendance of 7,000 at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, on Saturday evening as the under 21 side added the Leinster title to the senior provincial crown won last month.

The new found confidence within Wexford hurling is certainly rubbing off on the under 21 team. They were faster and fitter than Offaly, showed far greater team combination and were much sharper in terms of finish.

Offaly, by comparison, were a ragged side who never reproduced the form of the drawn encounter two weeks earlier.

Wexford led from the first minute when senior county player Gary Laffan, who emerged as the top scorer with 1-5, pointed cleverly from play.

Laffan's senior county colleague, Rory McCarthy, was an influential figure at midfield for the winners, who were 0-5 to 0-0 in front after 15 minutes. It took Offaly 17 minutes to score through a point from play by Killian Farrell.

The sides traded goals in the second quarter. Wexford's came in the 20th minute from centre forward Jason Lawlor and in the 28th minute Offaly right full for ward David Gleeson steered a good shot to the Wexford net.

Wexford led by 1-6 to 1-2 at half time and Offaly seemed back in the hunt when their stylish left half back, Colm Cassidy, cut a superb line ball from 45 metres all the way to the Wexford net in the 33rd minute.

That cut Wexford's lead to two point (1-7 to 2-2) but it was as close as Offaly were to come. In the 35th minute Laffan cut in from the right wing and made ground before kicking the ball to the Offaly net.

The Offaly challenge disintegrated after that goal as Wexford took complete control, scoring a further nine points to Offaly's three in the remaining 25 minutes.

Wexford will play Ant rim in the All Ireland semi final. It was Wexford's 11th provincial title at this level.