Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Wexford 2-20 Clare 1-20

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park, Ennis

New manager Darragh Egan couldn’t have asked for a better start as Wexford cemented back-to-back Allianz Hurling League victories to remain at the helm of Division 1 in Cusack Park Ennis this afternoon.

Edging out defending All-Ireland champions Limerick seven days previously, the Leinster side completed a rousing away victory over Clare, thanks in the main to a rousing final quarter backlash.

Trailing by 1-16 to 1-14 by the 54th minute, Wexford responded with 1-5 without reply including a clinching goal for Diarmuid O’Keeffe in front of an attendance of 2,855.

A strong wind dominated matters but didn’t always aid scoring as both sides tallied double figure wide counts with its aid. Clare had the elements in their favour in the opening period but after an early trio of Mark Rodgers frees lifted the home side 0-4 to 0-2 clear by the ten minute, their profligacy in front of the posts hampered any further progress.

Instead, Wexford stormed into the contest to fire an unanswered 1-4, with Rory O’Connor inspiring his side with a 21st minute opportunist goal to ensure a 1-6 to 0-4 advantage. Shane Meehan got the hosts back on track with a similar rebound goal on the half hour mark but would be crucially denied a second by goalkeeper Mark Fanning as a relieved Wexford recovered to take a 1-9 to 1-7 half-time lead.

With the visitors finding the conditions tough to hone their radar on the restart, Clare, mainly through Mark Rodgers, wrestle back control but the Scariff marksman would see a goal opportunity repelled on the line.

The home side lost their way however as Wexford upped the ante, with Jack O’Connor aiding his side to snatch the whip hand in the final quarter, capped off by a clinical strike from O’Keeffe in the 64th minute that effectively sealed victory.

**Scorers for Wexford: **Jack O’Connor 0-9 (6f, 1’65), Rory O’Connor 1-4, Diarmuid O’Keeffe 1-0, Damien Reck 0-2, Conor McDonald 0-2, Mike Dwyer 0-1, Connal Flood 0-1, Paudie Foley 0-1

**Scorers for Clare: **Mark Rodgers 0-12 (10f, 1’65), Paddy Donnellan 0-3, Shane Meehan 1-0, John Conlon 0-2, Patrick Crotty 0-2; Robin Mounsey 0-1.

WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; Simon Donohue, Liam Ryan, Damien Reck; Connal Flood, Matthew O’Hanlon, Paudie Foley; Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Liam Óg McGovern; Oisin Foley, Jack O’Connor, Charlie McGuckin; Rory O’Connor, Mike Dwyer, Conor McDonald.

Subs: Cathal Dunbar for O. Foley (50), Niall Murphy fort Ryan (61), Paul Morris for McGuckin (63), Shane Reck for McGovern (68).

CLARE: Eibhear Quilligan; Rory Hayes, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan; Diarmuid Ryan, Jack Browne, David Fitzgerald; Jason McCarthy, Paddy Donnellan; Cathal Malone, John Conlon, Ryan Taylor; Shane Meehan, Domhnall McMahon, Mark Rodgers

Subs: Patrick Crotty for McMahon (HT), Robin Mounsey for Taylor (67), Shane Golden for McCarthy (67), Aron Shanagher for Conlon (69).

REFEREE: Colm Lyons (Cork).