Gaelic Games

Dublin end Wexford’s three-year reign as Leinster U-21 kingpins

Two goals within a minute early in second half prove pivotal in quarter-final clash

Wexford’s Cathal Dunbar under pressure from Cian MacGabhann of Dublin at Wexford Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Wexford’s Cathal Dunbar under pressure from Cian MacGabhann of Dublin at Wexford Park. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Wed Jun 01 2016 - 22:35

Dublin 2-12 Wexford 1-8

Dublin ended Wexford’s three-year reign as provincial champions with a comfortable seven-point victory at Innovate Wexford Park yesterday evening.

Two goals within a minute early in the second half effectively secured the deal for dominant Dublin. The visitors, who led 0-7 to 0-4 at the break, were leading 0-8 to 0-6 after 35 minutes when Sean Ryan fielded a high ball to fire a low finish to the net.

Within seconds Sean Treacy availed of a breaking ball from Cian Boland to find the net from close range to put his his side into a comfortable eight point lead, 2-8 to 0-6

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Dublin continued to pick off delightful points through Eoghan Conroy and Treacy as they moved into a 2-12 to 0-8 lead by the 52nd minute.

Wexford continued to battle but their consolation goal only arrived on 60 minutes when Conor McDonald finished a loose ball to the net.

The reigning champions led only once in the game through a Cathal Dunbar’s early point.

But Dublin who went on to dominate the opening half and their interval lead of three points would have been far greater but for eight first-half wides. Once Ryan levelled the game after just four minutes, they went on to hit four unanswered points through Conroy, Treacy. Chris Bennett, a 65, and Colm O’Neill, as they totally dominated a tame homeside who struggled for scores throughout.

WEXFORD: O O'Leary; S Donohoe, L Ryan, B Quigley; A Maddock, P Foley (0-1), R White; J Firman, J O'Connor; J Cash, S Kelly (0-1), C Devitt; C Dunbar (0-1), C McDonald (1-5, 0-4 frees, 0-1, 65), D Pepper. Subs: K Foley for Cash (27); B Kelly for S Kelly (38); K Sheridan for white (39); S Casey for Pepper (42); G Bailey for Devitt (47).

DUBLIN: J Treacy; C Hendricken, C MacGabhann, E O'Donnell; M McCallion (0-1), S Barrett, J Madden; J Malone (0-3), J. Bellew; S Ryan (1-1), S Treacy (1-3), C O'Neill (0-1); A Jameson-Murphy, C Bennett (0-1, 65), E Conroy (0-2). Subs: C Boland for O'Neill (28); E McHugh for Bennett (44); F O'Riain-O'Broin for Jameson-Murphy (47); M Cavanagh for Malone (52); K Wigglesworth for Madden (55).

Referee: P Burke (Kilkenny).