Advertisement
Ryan Byrne/INPHO
One Way Traffic

Dublin hurlers cruise past dismal Wexford to book Leinster semi-final clash with Kilkenny

It was all too easy for Ger Cunningham’s Sky Blues at GAA HQ.

Dublin 2-19
Wexford 0-12

Jackie Cahill reports from Croke Park

GER CUNNINGHAM’S DUBLIN cruised into the Leinster SHC semi-finals this evening with a massive 13-point victory over Wexford at Croke Park.

The Sky Blues proved too good once they got on a run in the first half and a 2-10 to 0-8 interval platform proved a match-winning one.

Ryan O’Dwyer, who was viciously-assaulted outside a Birmingham nightclub last year, also made a welcome first appearance of 2016 and scored a late point for good measure.

O’Dwyer was one of three subs to get on the scoresheet as 11 different players contributed to the final tally.

Dublin will now play Kilkenny on 11 June in the provincial semi-final but any evaluation of this evening’s display must also factor in Wexford’s poor display.

Liam Dunne’s charges were ahead in the 16th minute, 0-5 to 0-4, but Eamon Dillon’s goal for Dublin opened the floodgates as Dublin hurt Wexford badly by running straight lines straight through a porous defence badly lacking a sweeper.

Dara O'Connell scores a goal Darragh O'Connell steams through for Dublin's second goal. Lorraine O’Sullivan / INPHO Lorraine O’Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO

All six of Dublin’s starting forwards would finish on the scoresheet, along with both midfielders, and by half-time, an eight-point advantage could have been far greater.

Dillon scooted through non-existent cover for a 17th-minute goal and Darragh O’Connell added another a minute before half-time, with the Wexford defence once again marked absent.

Dillon and Mark Schutte were involved in the build-up to O’Connell’s goal and the former Kerry star ghosted through to slam a low drive past Conor O’Leary.

The disjointed nature of Wexford’s defending was evident as three men converged on Schutte when he was in possession of the ball, leaving O’Connell with a clear run to take a pass.

Oisin Gough and Andrew Kenny Dublin's Oisin Gough escapes the attentions of Wexford player Andrew Kenny. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Other goal chances came and went for the Dubs, Diarmuid O’Keeffe executing a brilliant flick to deny David Treacy as he bore down on goal before Daire Plunkett had a sighter but failed to connect cleanly.

Six Treacy frees boosted Dublin’s account in the first half and Niall McMorrow was roaming to good effect also, finding pockets of space to pick off two points from play before adding two more in the second half.

For Wexford, Conor McDonald and Liam Óg McGovern worked manfully up front, hitting five points from play between them in the opening half, but they had precious little support as Dublin, with Liam Rushe standing tall in defence, were the more clinical side.

Wexford were just six points behind with less than 20 minutes remaining but Dublin did pretty much as they pleased down the home straight to set up a crunch showdown with Leinster and All-Ireland kingpins Kilkenny.

Scorers for Dublin: David Treacy 0-8 (7f, 1 65), Niall McMorrow 0-4, Darragh O’Connell & Eamon Dillon 1-0 each, Johnny McCaffrey, Daire Plunkett, Mark Schutte, David O’Callaghan, Chris Bennett, Ryan O’Dwyer & Paul Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Conor McDonald 0-6 (4f), Liam Óg McGovern 0-4, Eoin Moore (65) & Harry Kehoe 0-1.

Dublin

1. Conor Dooley (Ballyboden St Endas)

2. Eoghan O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille)
3. Cian O’Callaghan (Cuala)
4. Oisin Gough (Cuala)

5. Shane Barrett (Na Fianna)
6. Liam Rushe (St Pats Palmerstown)
7. Chris Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields)

8. Darragh O’Connell (Cuala)
9. Johnny McCaffrey (Lucan Sarsfields)

10. Daire Plunkett (St Brigids)
11. Niall McMorrow (Ballyboden St Endas)
12. David Treacy (Cuala)

13. David O’Callaghan (Ballyboden St Endas)
14. Eamonn Dillon (Naomh Fionnbarra)
15. Mark Schutte (Cuala)

Subs: 

22. Ryan O’Dwyer (Kilmacud Crokes) for O’Connell (57)
23. Chris Bennett (Faughs) for M Schutte (60)
17. Paul Schutte (Cuala) for McCaffrey (69)
21. Oisin O’Rorke (Kilmacud Crokes) for O’Callaghan (70)
24. Paul Ryan (Ballyboden St Enda’s) for Dillon (70+1)

Wexford

1. Conor O’Leary (Oulart-the-Ballagh)

2. Liam Ryan (Rapparees)
3. Matthew O’Hanlon (St James’ – capt.)
4. Eoin Moore (Oulart-the-Ballagh)

5. Diarmuid O’Keeffe (St Anne’s)
6. Paudie Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn)
7. Jack O’Connor (St Martin’s)

12. Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn)
8. Eoin Conroy (Naomh Eanna)

9. Andrew Kenny (Buffers Alley)
13. Paul Morris (Ferns St Aidan’s)
15. David Dunne (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy)

10. Liam Óg McGovern (St Anne’s)
14. Conor McDonald (Naomh Eanna)
11. Podge Doran (Oylegate-Glenbrien)

Subs: 

21. Cathal Dunbar (Ballygarrett) for Kenny (h.t.)
19. Ian Byrne (St Aidan’s) for Morris (47)
17. Eanna Martin (Sarsfields, Cork) for Moore (66)

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary)

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!

It’s a defining championship Sunday for Tipp and Cork in Semple Stadium cauldron

Here’s how Hawk-Eye will work when it makes its debut in Semple Stadium on Sunday

Your Voice
Readers Comments
15
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.