Wexford  2-16
Offaly 1-12

WEXFORD KEPT THEIR dream of a third successive Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U21 hurling title alive last night as they dismissed Offaly in O’Connor Park in Tullamore.

Senior star Conor McDonald fired home a crucial 39th-minute goal that set Wexford on their way before his sublime flick released Cathal Dunbar for their second goal that put the game out of Offaly’s reach.

Kevin Foley was man-of-the-match as he struck 0-7 from play in a superb attacking display as he caused Offaly’s defence untold problems.

Offaly finished with 14 men after Cillian Kiely was sent-off after being shown a second yellow card.

Matthew Maloney did bag a late consolation goal for an Offaly team that had good scoring showings from Emmet Nolan and Dylan Murray.

Offaly really put it up to Wexford in the first-half with Murray, Nolan and centre-back Conor Doughan all showing up impressively.

After the opening quarter, Offaly were in front by 0-5 to 0-3 but by the interval Wexford were narrowly adrift at 0-8 to 0-7 thanks to some fine points from Foley.

Wexford upped the ante after the interval with three points without reply courtesy of McDonald and Foley.

Offaly's Cillian Kiely tackles Wexford's Conor McDonald. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Nolan pulled a point back for Offaly but then Wexford outscored Offaly by 2-4 to 0-1 to seal the contest as McDonald and Dunbar both hit the net.

Scorers for Wexford: Conor McDonald 1-5 (0-2f, 0-2 ’65), Kevin Foley 0-7, Cathal Dunbar 1-1, Jack O’Connor, Gavin Bailey, Tony French 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: Dylan Murray 0-5 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Emmet Nolan 0-4, Matthew Moloney 1-0, Conor Doughan (0-1f), Cathal Mahon, Shane Guinan 0-1 each.

Wexford's James Cash consoles Offaly's Conor Doughan. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Wexford

1. Oliver O’Leary

2. Simon Donohoe
3. Liam Ryan
4. Eoin Conroy

5. Jim White
6. Padraig Foley
7. Jack O’Connor

8. Conor Devitt
9. Gavin Bailey

10. Andrew Kenny
11. Kevin Foley
12. James Cash

13. Peter Sutton
14. Conor McDonald
15. Shane Murphy

Subs
Cathal Dunbar for S Donohoe (25)
Sam Kelly for S Murphy (37)
Tony French for Peter Sutton (46)
Seán Kenny for J Cash (54)

Offaly

1. Kevin O’Connor (Kinnitty)

2. Darragh Corbett (Shannonbridge)
3. Daniel Doughan (Shinrone)
4. Paddy Rigney (Kinnitty)

5. Ger Crowe (Tullamore)
6. Conor Doughan (Capt) (Shinrone)
7. Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey)

8. Cathal Mahon (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
9. Padraig Guinan (Drumcullen)

10. Matthew Maloney (St Rynagh’s)
11. Johnny O’Toole Greene (Shamrocks)
12. Joe Maher (Belmont)

13. Adrian Cleary (Shinrone)
14. Emmet Nolan (Birr)
15. Dylan Murray (Kilcormac/Killoughey)

Subs
Shane Guinan for J Maher (HT)
Andrew Connolly for J O’Toole Greene (45)
Paul Kinsella for A Cleary (53)

Referee: Peter Burke (Kilkenny)

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