LAST UPDATE | 17 Feb 2019
Wexford 1-15
Tipperary 1-14
Ronan Fagan reports from Innovate Wexford Park
AIDAN NOLAN EDGED Wexford past 14-man Tipperary with a priceless injury-time strike in a titanic third-round Allianz Hurling League Division 1A battle at chilly Innovate Wexford Park on Sunday.
The Premier County appeared to be coping satisfactorily after losing Noel McGrath to a second yellow card just before half-time as they surged ahead by 1-11 to 0-6 on 42 minutes.
But Wexford were stubborn as they fought back to claim back-to-back victories and consign Liam Sheedy to consecutive defeats.
It is Davy Fitzgerald’s first competitive victory over Tipperary in three attempts as Wexford boss, and his first since overcoming them as Clare manager in the 2016 League quarter-final.
But Tipperary stung Wexford with a goal after just 46 seconds when captain Seamus Callanan broke the ice with a ground-shot after a neat set up by Niall O’Meara.
A couple of Ian Byrne frees kept Wexford in touch at 1-2 to 0-3 before Tipperary netminder Paul Maher brilliantly denied Aidan Nolan after the Wexford midfielder was set loose by a visionary Shaun Murphy delivery.
Scoring was sporadic throughout a teak, tough first-half, and Ian Byrne’s dead-ball accuracy brought it back to 1-3 to 0-5 after 25 minutes.
Shortly afterwards Noel McGrath incurred the first of two costly yellow-cards, as the influential no.11 was eventually dismissed on 34 minutes for a high challenge on Diarmuid O’Keeffe.
But Tippersary dominated the closing stages – including five added minutes – as Seamus Callanan converted three more frees to leaving them leading 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time.
Despite Wexford introducing Lee Chin for the second-half, the visitors strengthened their grip by 1-11 to 0-6 after 42 minutes as a Niall O’Meara double was added to by Callanan and midfielder Robert Byrne.
Ian Byrne stemmed the bleed with a pointed a free on 45 minutes just moments before Wexford were infused with fresh energy when Byrne put Seamus Casey through one-on-one with the ‘keeper to drive a low finish to the net (1-11 to 1-8).
Wexford hopes grew as they tied things on 1-11 apiece after 57 minutes with Ian Byrne (free) and Casey closing the margin which Kevin Foley bridged to level matters for the first time.
Callanan stroked Tipperary back in front before the excitement was ratcheted-up when Cathal Dunbar cut over a line-ball from midfield to restore parity with seven minutes left (1-11 apiece).
The pendulum continued to swing as Jason Forde (free) nudged Tipp back in front only for Rory O’Connor to level again after a tidy interception by the sub (1-12 each).
Jake Morris steered Sheedy’s charges back into the lead on 67 minutes, but it was slowly but surely overturned by determined Wexford as Diarmuid O’Keeffe levelled on 69 minutes before Lee Chin located Aidan Nolan in space on the left for the Bunclody flyer to loft the decisive blow three minutes into added-time.
Scorers for Wexford: Ian Byrne 0-6 (6fs), Seamus Casey 1-1, Diarmuid O’Keeffe 0-3, Pádraig Foley, Kevin Foley, Cathal Dunbar (sideline), Rory O’Connor, Aidan Nolan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary: Seamus Callanan 1-7 (0-6fs), Jason Forde (1f) and Niall O’Meara 0-2 each, Ronan Maher, Robert Byrne and Jake Morris 0-1 each.
Wexford
1 Eanna Martin (Carrickshock)
2 Damien Reck (Oylegate Glenbrien)
3 Darren Byrne (Blackwater)
4 Shane Reck (Oylegate Glenbrien)
7 Shaun Murphy (Oulart The Ballagh)
6 Matthew O’Hanlon (St James’)
5 Pádraig Foley (Crossabeg Ballymurn)
8 Diarmuid O’Keeffe (St Anne’s)
10 Aidan Nolan (HWH Bunclody)
15 Liam Óg McGovern (St Anne’s)
12 Ian Byrne (Ferns St Aidan’s)
9 Kevin Foley (Rapparees)
20 Seamus Casey (Oylegate Glenbrien)
14 Conor McDonald (Naomh Eanna)
13 Cathal Dunbar (Naomh Eanna)
Subs:
18 Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers) for D Reck (ht)
22 Rory O’Connor (St Martin’s) I Byrne (51)
19 Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn) for Casey (62)
17 Simon Donohoe (Shelmaliers) for O’Keeffe (temp., 67)
Tipperary
1 Paul Maher (Moyne Templetuohy)
2 Donagh Maher (Burgess)
3 James Barry (Upperchurch Drombane)
4 Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
5 Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s)
6 Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
7 Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)
8 Robert Byrne (Portroe)
9 Michael Breen (Ballina)
13 John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
11 Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)
12 Patrick Maher (Lorrha Dorrha)
10 Jason Forde (Silvermines)
14 Seamus Callanan (Drom Inch)
15 Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
Subs:
25 Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg) for O’Dwyer (51)
18 Willie Connors (Kiladangan) for Heffernan (54)
19 Alan Flynn (Kiladangan) for D Maher (57)
23 John McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney) for O’Meara (59)
20 Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill) for Byrne (68).
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork).
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Come on the Yella Bellies
Great win today.
The consistency of the ref was poor today again. Dubious frees for both teams today. Tipperary should have had a free in at the end to level it but I think wexford justified the victory. Great result considering Wexford were missing the following from the start
Mark fanning
Liam Ryan
Coner firman
James Breen
Jack o Conner
David Dunne
Paul Morris
Rory o Conner ( came on)
Lee chin (came on)
Simon Donahue
Joe o Conner
Look it’s only February and in all honestly Tipperary will be a force come championship but for today, it’s a great day for the wexford hurling.
@John Doh: just watching it. Tipp should have had two frees before the winning point. Callanan hurl clearly been held and then Chin tripped over a Tipp forward. Fair play to Wexford tho. Dig deep for the win.
@Cormac Flanagan: as a wexford man, I won’t disagree. But look over the course of a season, it will level itself out! We will take our slice of luck today
What an extraordinary performance from Matthew O’Hanlon today. Absolutely lorded that centre back line for Wexford. Brilliant stuff.
Two things Tipp learned today. 1. Barry Heffernan is a great trier but not up to this level.
2. Liam Sheedy cannot leave Seamie Callanan on the frees. He has to give the job of free taker to Jason Ford. Cally is flaky on frees and Ford just does not miss.
@Alan Quirke: agreed but this hit and hope hurling out of the backs has to stop. we dont have the forwards to win high balls so its coming back as quick as they hit out.
@Alan Quirke: totally agree on freetaker. Seamie misses has and will cost us tight games. Any day forde is on field he should be on frees
@Michael Gleeson: Seamie is now experienced enough not to have to be kept in the game by taking handy frees. The role is too vital and every top team has an almost 100% free taker. I think that was spotted today when Forde took the last free so hopefully Jason will be on them from the start from now on.
@Alan Quirke: Barry Heffernan is an absolute diver is what I learned.
That was the worst refereeing performance I have seen in a long time.
@Gavin Morrissey: Dogged wexford in the 2nd half
F&ck tipp & fu€k paddy power
@Thomyk: who took the jam out of your donut
@Thomyk: shoulda just drank it
@Thomyk: ha ha ha ha ha ha. Dope, betting against a good team that’s at home in a league where nobody cares because there is no relegation and home advantage has almost always been the difference between the teams. A fool and his money….
Great game . Ref was a little tough on Tipp but let the game flow.
Liam Sheedy will be begging RTE for his handy number again next year.
No offense,but we are watching the game from either the stand or TV or seeing the highlights,the ref is trying to keep up with 30 very fit fellas younger then him,it’s impossible to ref hurling now, how to fix it,I’m not sure but blaming the ref is a cop out.
Just like the gweedore goal on Saturday, the Wexford player took 8/10 steps for the goal.