Allianz HL D1B: Wexford net last gasp goal to earn win

Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

Wexford 1-13 Antrim 1-12

By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park

Wexford snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as captain fantastic Mark Fanning netted a free eight minutes into added-time in Saturday’s weather-lashed Allianz Hurling League Division 1B opener at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

After the sides were level for a fourth-time (0-12 apiece), Antrim sub Conor Johnston appeared to have netted the crucial blow for Davy Fitzgerald’s visitors 11 seconds into stoppage-time.

Following the award of a free, Wexford management immediately sent their netminder forward to haul the purple and gold to the utter relief of victory to the delight of their supporters amongst the 1,831 crowd.

Deplorable weather militated against free-flowing play, but Antrim made a strong start with the wind at their backs as they struck clear by 0-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes through free-taker Seaan Elliott.

The Saffrons squandered chances to bank a greater deposit, including a number of efforts dropping short.

Simon Roche, in his third campaign but only eighth appearance, began to put his imprint on matters as Wexford came more to terms with matters.

Indeed, Roche sent over three scores – two frees – after midfielder Conor Hearne had also obliged as the home-side tied on 0-5 apiece after 28 minutes.

An exchange of points between Elliott and Roche – the latter from a free – was followed by a mass melee which led to referee Thomas Walsh issuing a yellow-card to Antrim centre-forward Paul Boyle.

Boyle demonstrated strong character when edging Antrim back in front, before colleagues Conal Cunning, who missed 2025 through injury, and Elliott (free) had Antrim ahead 0-9 to 0-6 at the break.

The sides traded early second-half scores – Cunning and James Byrne – before they both lost a man, as Wexford defender Richie Lawlor and Antrim wing-back Gerard Walsh met with straight red cards arising from a scuffle on the rain-sodden surface.

Antrim maintained a three-point gap after 59 minutes (0-12 to 0-8) as Elliott matched a pair of Simon Roche frees with similar scores.

But an inspirational point from the right wing by Wexford substitute Darren Codd boosted the home drive, with Simon Roche adding a pair of dead-ball conversions – one a ’65 after sub Jack Redmond had forced Ruairí McCormick into evasive action on the goal-line – to level on 0-12 apiece on the stroke of the 70th minute.

However, Antrim immediately launched back with a three-pronged advance by substitutes Ruairí Donaghy, Joseph McLauglin and Conor Johnston that culminated in the latter driving an angled finish to the net 11 seconds into added-time (1-12 to 0-12).

Sub Jack Redmond pegged it back to two points before Fanning's heroics.

Scorers for Wexford: Simon Roche 0-8 (6fs, 1 ’65), Mark Fanning 1-0 (free), Tomás Kinsella, Conor Hearne, James Byrne, Darren Codd, Jack Redmond 0-1 each.

Scorers for Antrim: Seaan Elliott 0-7 (6fs), Conor Johnston 1-0, Conal Cunning 0-2, Seán Duffin, Ryan McCambridge, Paul Boyle 0-1 each.

Wexford: Mark Fanning; David Clarke, Conor Foley, Darragh Carley; Niall Murphy, Richie Lawlor, Eamon Wickham; Conor Hearne, Ross Banville; Ciarán O’Connor, Simon Roche, James Byrne; Cian Byrne, Tomás Kinsella, Kevin Foley.

Subs: Corey Byrne-Dunbar for J. Byrne, temp. (29-HT), Byrne-Dunbar for O’Connor (52), Jack Redmond for J. Byrne (52), Darren Codd for C. Byrne (59), David Codd for Banville (59), Damien Reck for Hearne (59).

Antrim: Domhnall Nugent; Eoin McFerran, Paddy Burke, Ruairí McCormick; Seán McKay, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, Eoin O’Neill; Scott Walsh, Paul Boyle, Seán Duffin; Seaan Elliott, James McNaughton, Conal Cunning.

Subs: Cormac McKeown for Duffin (52), Joseph McLaughlin for McCambridge (59), Conor Johnston for Elliott (66), Ruairí Donaghy for S. Walsh (68), Jack McCloskey for O’Neill (70+5).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).