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Waterford and Wexford warm-up for championship with high-scoring challenge match

Derek McGrath’s side edged the fixture at Ballygunner.

Waterford 4-18

Wexford 3-13

WATERFORD ENJOYED AN eight point win over Wexford in a senior hurling challenge played on a showery evening at Ballygunner.

The game served as a fundraiser for Pauric Mahony and Pieta House. Twelve different scorers chipped in for the Déise.

First half goals by Shane Bennett, Michael Walsh and Eddie Barrett teed up Derek McGrath’s charges for victory as they held a 3-11 to 1-4 lead at the interval.

Shane Bennett combined with his brother Stephen for the first after just 35 seconds. Bennett assisted a second goal for Michael Walsh on 13 minutes as his effort deceived Niall Breen.

A minute later, a defence splitting run from Eddie Barrett yielded a third green flag. On 27 minutes, Andrew Kenny finished to the net for the Model County after approach play by Rory Jacob and Aidan Nolan.

The rain continued to pour down for the second half and made underfoot conditions very slippy for both sets of players.

Substitute Michael Kearney flicked home on 41 minutes after a penetrating burst from Jamie Barron. At the other end, Rory Jacob flashed a shot to the bottom corner as Wexford pounced on a short puckout.

Shane Bennett scores a goal Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Liam Dunne’s men rallied towards the finish as Waterford emptied the bench. Podge Doran finished a flowing move in the final minute of normal time.

Both sides start out on their Championship journeys in eight days as league winners Waterford take on Cork and Wexford face up to Westmeath.

Scorers for Waterford: Shane Bennett 1-5 (2fs, 1 65′); Michael Walsh 1-2; Michael Kearney 1-1; Eddie Barrett 1-0; Tom Devine, Patrick Curran (1f) 0-2 each; Stephen Bennett, Kevin Moran, Jake Dillon, Thomas Connors, Tommy Waring, Austin Gleeson 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Paul Morris 0-5 (5fs); Rory Jacob 1-2; Podge Doran 1-1; Andrew Kenny 1-0; Joe Kelly 0-2; Aidan Nolan, Richie Kehoe, Paudie Foley 0-1 each.

Waterford

1. Stephen O’Keeffe

2. Shane Fives
3. Shane McNulty
4. Paudie Prendergast

12. Shane O’Sullivan
21. Martin O’Neill
5.   Stephen Daniels

20. Kevin Moran
9. Eddie Barrett

10. Stephen Bennett
11. Michael Walsh
23. Colin Dunford

13. Brian O’Halloran
14. Tom Devine
15. Shane Bennett

Subs used: Ian O’Regan, Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors, Tadhg De Burca, Jake Dillon, Patrick Curran, Thomas Connors, Shane Roche, Jamie Barron, Austin Gleeson, Tommy Waring, Michael Kearney, Philip Mahony.

Wexford

1. Niall Breen

3. Thomas Waters
2. Willie Devereux
9. Eoin Conroy

6. Paudie Foley
24. Conor Devitt
17. Richie Kehoe

7. Jack O’Connor
23. Aidan Nolan

4. Joe Kelly
10. Paul Morris
25. Andrew Kenny

13. Rory Jacob
21. Podge Doran
15. Kevin Foley

Subs used: Shane Tomkins, Eanna Martin, Harry Kehoe.

Referee: Paul Foley (Waterford)

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