LEINSTER SFC ROUND ONE

WICKLOW 2-9 WEXFORD 0-11

By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park

Davy Burke’s Wicklow continue their uplifting 2020 campaign after nailing Wexford for the second weekend running at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday to land a Leinster SFC quarter-final showdown with Meath next weekend at Aughrim.

Eight days earlier Wicklow had beaten Wexford to promotion from Division 4 of the league, and the Garden County overcame a 0-6 to 0-2 deficit after 27 minutes of this rematch to out-score their neighbours by 2-7 to 0-5 and secure an appointment with the Royal County.

Wicklow showed faith in their league outfit, with James Sheeran the only change as he replaced Eoin Darcy.

But Wexford certainly shook their deck as manager Shane Roche made five personnel changes.

Wexford, with wind assistance, opened brightly to lead 0-2 to no-score after three minutes through Eoghan Nolan (mark) and Ben Brosnan (free).

But enterprising Wicklow kept close tabs as they reached the first drinks break adrift by just 0-3 to 0-2 with Seánie Furlong and Conor Byrne (free) keeping them in touch.

Wexford appeared to be gaining control when picking off three unanswered points to lead 0-6 to 0-2 after 27 minutes as Brosnan added two frees and Mark Rossiter also contributed.

Wicklow remained composed and they struck the first real blow on 34 minutes when captain Dean Healy raced through from midfield to gather a pass from advanced centre-back Niall Donnelly and net a low finish (0-6 to 1-2).

Pádraig O’Toole quickly levelled matters. But Wexford recovered to claw out a 0-8 to 1-3 interval advantage courtesy of Brosnan (free) and Alan Tobin.

While defender Martin O’Connor burst through seconds after the restart to extend the gap to 0-9 to 1-3, Wicklow calmly began to seize control.

The visitors hit the front for the first time after 54 minutes through Seánie Furlong (three, including two frees) and Rory Finn (1-7 to 0-9).

And just as Wexford were down to 13 players through separate sin-binings, Wicklow further capitalised when sub Eoin Darcy broke the ball down for Conor Byrne to fire to the far corner of the net in the 56th minute (2-7 to 0-9).

Unfortunately for the goal-scorer, that proved his last action after he smashed into an upright in the process of netting and was immediately forced off.

Wexford desperately sought a way to avoid their fifth successive first-round exit from Leinster.

But Wicklow’s passage was safeguarded with insurance points from substitute Gearóid Murphy and ‘keeper Mark Jackson, the latter putting over a late ‘45 at the venue where he posted three points in the pivotal league encounter.

Scorers for Wicklow: Seánie Furlong 0-4 (2 frees), Conor Byrne 1-1 (0-1 free), Dean Healy 1-0, Pádraig O’Toole, Rory Finn, Gearóid Murphy, Mark Jackson (’45) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Ben Brosnan 0-5 (5 frees), Alan Tobin 0-2 (1 free), Eoghan Nolan (mark), Mark Rossiter, Martin O’Connor, Daithí Waters 0-1 each.

Wicklow: Mark Jackson; Patrick O’Kane, Jamie Snell, Eoin Murtagh; Rory Finn, Niall Donnelly, Dave Devereux; Pádraig O’Toole, Dean Healy (capt.); Andy Maher, Mark Kenny, Darren Hayden; James Sheeran, Seánie Furlong, Conor Byrne.

Subs: Eoin Darcy for Kenny (54); Gearóid Murphy for Byrne, inj. (56); Oisín Manning for Devereux (60); Chris O’Brien for Sheeran (64); Daniel Keane for Donnelly (66).

Wexford: Ivan Meegan; Martin O’Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Conor Carty; Glen Malone, Eoin Porter, Brian Malone; Niall Hughes, Donal Shanley; Alan Tobin, Liam Coleman, Mark Rossiter; Ben Brosnan (capt.), Eoghan Nolan, Nick Doyle.

Subs: Kevin O’Grady for Rossiter (35); John Tubritt for Brosnan, inj. (48); Paudie Hughes for Shanley (51); Daithí Waters for Doyle (60); Tom Byrne for Coleman (63).

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).