Dublin 2-25
Wexford 1-12
CORMAC COSTELLO MIGHT not have started today’s Leinster semi-final but it didn’t stop him finishing it with 1-5.
The youngster was introduced at the interval, and he was integral in providing the Dubs with the added enthusiasm needed to put Wexford to the sword.
Dublin lead at the break 0-10 to 0-6, simply doing just about enough in what was a stop-start affair.
Paul Mannion, a late replacement for the injured Paddy Andrews had his goal attempt excellently saved by Shane Roche within the opening minute and with Wexford midfielder Daithi Waters dominating the kickouts his team stayed in touch.
Wexford though were laboured in possession and failed to deliver quick or accurate ball into Ciaran Lyng, who was held to just one point by the Dublin full-back line.
Four of Dublin’s first-half scores came from the reliable right boot of Dean Rock, who punished every Wexford in-discipline. Nonetheless the Ballymun Kickham’s man was replaced by Costello at the break as Dublin looked to step up their performance in the aftermath of an impressive Meath performance earlier in the day.
It was Wexford who opened the second half scoring though, as the impressive Conor Carty found a gap in the Dubs’ defence and when his effort was deflected by Cluxton into the path of James Holmes the half-forward’s decision to opt for a point would prove costly.
From here it was the Costello show, as the youngster slotted over two points in quick succession before he burried the vital nail in the Wexford coffin on 45 minutes with a well-taken goal.
Daithi Waters was harshly pulled up for an alleged hand-off as the resulting free found its way to the Wexford midfielder’s marker, and Macauley found Costello in space to put real daylight between the two teams.
Waters did have his revenge on the hour mark, as he walked through the Dublin defence and riffled a shot into the bottom right corner, but by then the game was over as a contest.
Paul Flynn would provide the score of the game seven minutes later as he let fly into the top corner after more good work by Costello.
Substitutes Tomas Brady and Eoghan O’Gara both impressed with two points apiece, but fittingly it was Costello who added his sixth, and the game’s final score with the last kick off the game.
Dublin progress, untested – Wexford now look to the qualifiers for redemption.
Scorers for Dublin: Cormac Costello 1-5 (0-1f); Paul Flynn 1-2; Dean Rock 0-4 (0-4f), Paul Mannion 0-3; Tomas Brady, , Diarmuid Connolly (0-1f), Eoghan O’Gara 0-2; Stephen Cluxton (0-1 ’45), Nicky Devereux, Alan Brogan, Michael Darragh Macauley, Philly McMahon 0-1 each.
Scorers for Wexford: Ben Brosnan 0-6 (0-3f), Daithi Waters 1-0; PJ Banville 0-3; Ciaran Lyng (0-1f), James Holmes, Kevin O’Grady 0-1 each
Dublin
1. Stephen Cluxton – Parnells
2. Philly McMahon – Ballymun Kickhams
3. Rory O’Carroll – Kilmacud Crokes
4. Johnny Cooper – Na Fianna
5. James McCarthy - Ballymun Kickhams
6. Nicky Devereux – Ballinteer
7. Kevin Nolan- Kilmacud Crokes
8. Michael Darragh Macauley – Ballyboden St Enda’s
9. Cian O’Sullivan - Kilmacud Crokes
10. Paul Flynn – Fingalians
23. Paul Mannion – Kilmacud Crokes
12. Diarmuid Connolly – St Vincent’s
13. Alan Brogan – St. Oliver Plunkett’s
14. Dean Rock - Ballymun Kickhams
15. Kevin McManamon – St Jude’s
Subs
19. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille) for Rock (HT)
26. Eoghan O’Gara (Templeogue) for Brogan (46)
24. Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf) for Nolan (49)
18. Tomas Brady (Na Fianna) for O’Sullivan (59)
22. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala) for Devereux (63)
20. Bryan Cullen (Skerries Harps) for Macauley (67)
Wexford
1. Shane Roche – Geraldine O’Hanrahan’s
2. Robert Tierney – Glynn Barntown
3. Graeme Molloy – St James’
4. Conor Carty – Castletown Liam Mellows
5. Michael Furlong – St Abban’s Adamstown
6. Brian Malone – Shelmaliers
7. Adrian Flynn – Gusserane O’Rahilly’s
8. Daithi Waters – St Martin’s
9. Paddy Byrne – Kilmore
17. Tiarnan Rossitor – St Mary’s
11. PJ Banville – Horeswood
12. James Holmes – Castletown Liam Mellows
13. Ciaran Lyng – St Martin’s
14. Ben Brosnan – Bannow – Ballymitty
15. Kevin O’Grady – St James’
Subs
19. Cillian Kehoe (Gusserane O’Rahilly’s) for Holmes (50)
10. Michael O’Regan (Glynn – Barntown) for Flynn (52)
23. Eoghan Nolan (Shelmaliers) for Byrne (56)
21. David Dunne (Davidstown – Courtnacuddy) for Rossiter (59)
20. Colm Kehoe (Cloughbawn) for 15 (63)
26. Graeme Cullen (Gusserane O’Rahilly’s) for Banville (67)
Kildare hurlers closer to kilkenny level than their footballers are to Dublin
Great game of hurling watched it on tg4 YouTube. Pity it didnt get more exposure
Kildare goalie was Mark Doyle. Clane clubmate of Paddy McKenna who didn’t start.
@Tony O’ Grady: Thanks for flagging that, Tony. Duly amended.