Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship Semi-Final

DUBLIN 1-19 WEXFORD 1-10

By Kieran Murphy at Netwatch Cullen Park

After a tense and close opening half Dublin pulled away to secure a victory in this Leinster under 20 semi-final at Netwatch Cullen Park last night.

Despite the heavy rain the pitch was in excellent condition and both these sides served up an exciting opening half. It was tight. Liam Murphy led the Dublin scoring annexing 0-7 from placed balls and play while Ross Banville hit three points for Wexford who trailed 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval.

Dublin roared into life in the second half hitting 1-5 without reply from their opponents. The goal was of the fortunate variety when Eddie Gibbons, the Dublin goalkeeper, saw his long range free drop underneath the crossbar and over the line. The netminder would end up with 1-2 before the final whistle.

Wexford hit back with a wonderful goal when they worked the ball through the hands and Glen Murphy was on hand to shoot past the advancing Eddie Gibbons.

That was never going to be enough and Dublin finished strongly with Murphy, Pearce Christie and Liam Dunne all raising white flags.

Scorers for Dublin: Liam. Murphy 0-10 (5fs, 65), Eddie Gibbons 1-2 (fs), Kevin Redmond 0-2, Daragh McBride, Donal Leavy, Mark Sweeney Liam Dunne, Padhraic Linehin, 0-1 each

Scorers for Wexford: Ross Banville 0-6 (4fs), Glen. Murphy 1-0, Sean O. Connor 0-2, Conor Mahoney 0-1, David Codd 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Eddie Gibbons; Tommy Kinnane, Andrew Dunphy, Iain O Heithir; Enda O’Donnell, Kevin Burke, Donal Leavy; Mark Sweeney, Darragh Power; Darach McBride, Micheál Murphy, Luke McDwyer; Billy Ryan, Alex O’Neill, Liam Murphy.

Subs: Kevin Redmond for M. Murphy (HT), Liam Dunne for Ryan (44), Ciaran Foley for O’Neill (59), Padhraic Linehin for Power (55), Pearce Christie for O’Heithir (59).

WEXFORD: James Lawlor; Cian Molloy, Sam Audsley, Joe Conroy; David Codd, Niall Murphy, Diarmuid Kehoe; Conor Mahoney, Josh Sheil; Luke Kavanagh, Conall Clancy, Richie Lawlor; Sean O’Connor, Ross Banville, James Byrne.

Subs: Glen Murphy for Byrne (HT), AJ Redmond for Shiel (37), Mossy Murphy for Mahoney (50), Daragh Furlong for Kavanagh (51), Cormac Cooney for Lawler (62).

REFEREE: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny).