Allianz Division 2: Wexford qualify for final

Wexford booked their place in the Allianz GAA Hurling National League Division 2 final with a 4-18 to 1-12 defeat of Antrim at Wexford Park.

However, the comprehensive final scoreline hides the fact that the Models struggled against the wind in the first half and trailed by 1-9 to 1-6 at the break.

Wexford made the better start and led by 1-5 to 0-5, Rory Jacob having grabbed their goal in the tenth minute.

Neil McManus’s goal from a close-range free as well as five Paul Shiels points saw the Saffrons take control in the closing stages.

However, Dinny Cahill’s side were dealt a massive blow just before the break when PJ O’Connell was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Keith Rossiter.

With the wind at their backs and a man to the good, the home side took control as Peter Atkinson flicked a high ball from Diarmuid Lyng to the back of the net 52 seconds after the restart.

Atkinson then struck for his second goal of the game 17 minutes into the second half, profiting from a mistake from the Antrim goalkeeper, Chris O’Donnell, who misjudged the flight of the ball in the wind.

Four minutes later, Wexford added their fourth goal, as Jacob this time beat the goalkeeper to another high ball to flick home his second of the afternoon.

Wexford cruised to a 15 points win in the end and will play Clare in Division 2 final in two weeks’ time.

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Laois failed to secure a place in the Allianz GAA Huirling Division 2 final despite finishing off their campaign with a 1-16 to 1-10 defeat of Carlow on Sunday.

Wexford’s comprehensive win over Antrim ensures the Models secured a final spot against Clare on Sunday, May 2.

Niall Rigney’s charges, however, will be pleased with a fine campaign that sees them finish in third place in the table, just a point behind Wexford. There was also some silverware for Laois as the game also doubled up as the Walsh Shield final.

Zane Keenan scored four points for the O’Moore County as they held a comprehensive 0-9 to 0-3 lead at the break.

Carlow should have been far closer, but they had a penalty cleared off the line in the 25th minute.

The start of the second half saw Carlow midfielder Damien Roberts and Laois defender Conor Dunne shown straight red cards following a scuffle.

The Barrowsiders started to make inroads into the Laois lead in the third quarter, but their challenge was all but ended when they were reduced to 13 men after Edward Cody was dismissed on a second yellow card for a foul on Neil Doyle.

Keenan, the star of the show for the home side, then delivered the killer blow, his goal giving Laois a 1-12 to 0-5 lead.

Remarkably, Carlow were reduced to 12 men when John Rogers was sent to the line three minutes from the end.

Carlow did pull back a late consolation goal as Craig Doyle raised a green flag at the death.

Laois will certainly have gained the most from this contest with the teams due to meet once again in the Leinster Championship on May 22. 

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Meanwhile, Clare finished top of the Division 2 table thanks to a 2-15 to 0-11 win over Kildare at Newbridge.

Diarmuid McMahon's goal after nine minutes helped the Banner to a 1-6 to 0-7 lead at the break. 

Mark Moloney, David Kennedy and Martin Fitzgerald all posted scores for Kildare in a fine six-minute spell that saw the gap reduced to the minimum.

However, the home side faltered badly in the final 20 minutes and managed just one more point, while Colin Ryan helped himself to 1-2 in that period to seal a 10 points win.

The defeat sees Kildare relegated to Division 3 of the Allianz League after they finished bottom of the table on two points.

Meanwhile, Westmeath guaranteed their survival in the second tier thanks to a 3-14 to 1-18 defeat of Down at Ballycran.

The Lake County trailed 1-14 to 2-10 in the second half but fought back to seal the win that assures them of Division 2 hurling in 2011. 

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Wicklow and Louth will contest the Division 3B final, with Roscommon unlucky to lose out after Sunday's final round of games.

The Garden County recorded their sixth straight win to finish top of the league, beating Louth – who they will play in the final - by 3-21 to 0-8 points at Arklow.