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Semple Success

Brilliant Wexford claim first senior hurling championship win over Cork in 60 years

Conor McDonald hit 0-13 for the winners tonight.

Wexford 0-23
Cork 1-17

Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium

WEXFORD ENDED A 60-year hoodoo against Cork sides in senior hurling championship with a terrific victory in tonight’s All-Ireland Round 2 qualifier tie at Semple Stadium.

Cork's Damien Cahalane and Conor O’Sullivan tackle Wexford's Podge Doran Wexford's Podge Doran is challenged by the Cork duo of Damien Cahalane and Conor O'Sullivan Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Not since the 1956 All-Ireland senior hurling final had Wexford seen off Cork in a championship tie but Liam Dunne’s side deservedly tasted success tonight to advance to an All-Ireland quarter-final tie in a fortnight.

Conor McDonald was magnificent for the victors as he struck 0-13 – ten from placed balls – while Lee Chin chipped in with 0-4.

Conor McDonald and Lee Chin celebrate Wexford's Conor McDonald and Lee Chin celebrate their victory Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Cork had hit the front at 1-15 to 0-17 in the 61st minute, when Daniel Kearney struck the only goal of the game with shot drilled to the net after being set up by Conor Lehane.

But they were outscored by 0-6 to 0-2 in the finale as Wexford wiped out any momentum that Cork had gained from that goal. After Kearney’s strike, Wexford hit four out of the game’s next five points with Chin and McDonald weighing in with a brace of points apiece.

A stylish point from Conor Lehane in the 68th minute left Cork trailing by a single point but Wexford surged for the finish line. Liam Óg McGovern fired a brace of points and the Wexford defence held firm in the finale to ensure they recorded a triumph that their supporters will savour.

Liam Dunne celebrates at the final whistle Wexford manager Liam Dunne celebrates at the final whistle Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

In contrast the result capped off a miserable season for Cork hurling and was further evidence of the struggles the county is currently enduring.

Right from the off Wexford were in the hunt for the spoils here. The teams traded 0-5 apiece in the opening 14 minutes and after being competitive in those early stages, Wexford then made a decisive burst.

After William Egan nudged Cork ahead in the 15th minute Wexford shot seven points without reply. McDonald weighted in with six of those and five were converted placed balls as he relentlessly punished sloppy Cork fouls.

Alan Cadogan reacts to a wide Alan Cadogan reacts to a Cork wide Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Cork were in real trouble but they did steady themselves before the interval as two Patrick Horgan frees and a Luke O’Farrell point from play, left them only trailing 0-12 to 0-9.

Wexford upped the ante again after half-time and when Chin hit a point in the 45th minute, they were in front 0-16 to 0-11. But then Liam Dunne’s men encountered a sticky patch as Cork made an attempt to salvage something from this game.

Horgan (2) and O’Farrell cut Wexford’s advantage to three points, and while McDonald banged over a free in the 60th minute, Cork countered again with an O’Farrell point and Kearney’s goal.

It looked like a turning point but Wexford’s response was impressive and full of character. They move forward to the last six while Cork bow out of the 2016 race.

Aidan Nolan celebrates after the final whistle Aidan Nolan celebrates Wexford's victory Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Wexford: Conor McDonald 0-13 (0-10f), Lee Chin 0-4, Liam Óg McGovern 0-2, Mark Fanning (0-1f), Eoin Moore (0-1f), Jack O’Connor, Paul Morris 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-7 (0-6f), Luke O’Farrell, Conor Lehane 0-3 each, Daniel Kearney 1-0, Bill Cooper, Alan Cadogan, William Egan, Seamus Harnedy 0-1 each.

Wexford

1. Mark Fanning (Glynn Barntown)

2. Eoin Moore (Oulart-the-Ballagh)
3. Matthew O’Hanlon (St James)
4. James Breen (Adamstown)

5. Diarmuid O’Keeffe (St Anne’s)
6. Paudie Foley (Crossabeg/Ballymurn)
7. Éanna Martin (Geraldine O’Hanrahans)

8. Jack O’Connor (St Martin’s)
9. Eoin Conroy (Naomh Éanna)

10. Liam Óg McGovern (St Anne’s)
11. Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers)
12. Podge Doran (Oylgate-Glenbrien)

13. Paul Morris (Ferns St Aidan’s)
14. Conor McDonald (Naomh Éanna)
15. David Dunne (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy)

Subs

18. Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn) for Doran (34)
17. Andrew Kenny (Buffers Alley) for Martin (43)
20. Simon Donohoe (Shelmaliers) for Jack O’Connor (63)
21. Cathal Dunbar (Ballygarrett) for Moore (66)
22. Aidan Nolan (Half-Way-House-Bunclody) for Morris (72)

Cork

1. Anthony Nash (Kanturk)

2. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers – captain)
3. Damien Cahalane (St Finbarrs)
4. Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields)

5. Mark Ellis (Millstreet)
6. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
7. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)

8. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
9. William Egan (Kilbrin)

10. Luke O’Farrell (Midleton)
11. John Cronin (Lisgoold)
12. Conor Lehane (Midleton)

13. Alan Cadogan (Douglas)
14. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)

Subs

22. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields) for Cronin (31)
24. Brian Lawton (Castlemartyr) for Cooper (55)
26. Shane Kingston (Douglas) for Harnedy (60)
19. Cormac Murphy (Mallow) for Joyce (63)
21. Mark Coleman (Blarney) for McDonnell (68)

Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)

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