Dublin 0-12
Wexford 2-6

Paul Keane reports from Enniscorthy

ALL-IRELAND HERO Dean Rock struck at the death for holders Dublin who came from seven points down to claim a battling O’Byrne Cup opening day draw.

Jim Gavin started with just three of his All-Ireland final team and the visitors took a while to settle in Enniscorthy, leaking two first-half goals and falling seven down at half-time.

But seven points in a row subsequently saw the provincial kingpins draw level again before a tense closing finale.

PJ Banville, the experienced Wexford forward who competed for New York in last year’s Championship, put them one ahead again in the 68th minute with their only point of the second-half.

But Rock’s sixth point of the afternoon in the 70th minute tied the game up for the final time and left the teams deadlocked in Group A.

Dublin return to action on Wednesday evening at home to IT Carlow and wrap up their group campaign next Sunday at home to DCU.

Gavin, typically, took the opportunity to experiment with John Small the only member of the back seven who competed in September’s final win over Kerry.

Ciaran Reddin partnered Denis Bastick at midfield with 35-year old Bastick’s decision to commit for another season coming as a major boost.

Up front, Rock top scored though Paddy Andrews was full of industry along with underage star Con O’Callaghan and Cormac Costello.

Experienced Wexford duo Ben Brosnan and Adrian Flynn scored early goals to help David Power’s side into a 2-5 to 0-4 half-time lead.

But they didn’t score again until Banville’s point late on as Dublin reeled off score after score, Rock pinching five points in the second-half on his own.

Anthony Masterson denied Dublin overall with three great saves for Wexford, one from a first-half Rock penalty and Wexford thanked him for keeping their campaign hopes alive.

—–

Scorers for Dublin: Dean Rock 0-6 (2f), Jason Whelan, Ciaran Reddin, Paddy Andrews, Cormac Costello, Con O’Callaghan and Shane Carthy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Ben Brosnan and Adrian Flynn (1-0 pen) 1-1 each, Kevin O’Grady, Robbie Vallejo, Kevin Rowe and PJ Banville 0-1 each.

DUBLIN

1. Michael Savage (St Vincent’s)

10. Jarlath Curley (St Vincent’s)
8. Eoin Culligan (Kilmacud Crokes)
17. Conor Mullally (Cuala)

11. Nicky Devereux (Ballinteer St John’s)
22. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
6. Michael Concarr (St Vincent’s)

3. Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge Street)
19. Ciaran Reddin (St Maurs)

23. Jason Whelan (Ballymun Kickhams)
20. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)
5. Shane Carthy (St Vincent’s)

7. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)
2. Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s)
18. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala)

Subs
15. Philly McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams) for Devereux (half-time)
14. James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams) for Concarr (half-time)
12. Graham Hannigan (Castleknock) for Culligan (46)
21. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street) for Bastick (46)
4. Adam Caffrey (Na Fianna) for McMahon (54, Black Card)
24. Niall Walsh (St Oliver Plunketts Eoghan Ruadh) for O’Callaghan (56)
13. Maitias MacDonncha (Clontarf) for Whelan (64, blood substitute)

WEXFORD

1. Anthony Masterson

2. Johnny Connors
3. Naomhan Rossiter
4. Robbie Vallejo

5. Brian Malone
6. Simon Donohoe
7. Kieran Butler

8. Colm Kehoe
9. Glen Malone

10. Kevin O’Grady
25. Niall Hughes
21. Adrian Flynn

15. Ben Brosnan
13. Kevin Rowe
14. Jamie Carty

Subs

17. Tiernan Rossiter for Malone (15, Black Card)
18. Sean Ryan for Rowe (45)
24. Shane Doyle for Connors (53)
19. Pierce O’Connor for Hughes (68)                                                                                            18. PJ Banville for Donohoe (45)

Referee: John Hickey (Carlow)

Dublin manager Jim Gavin makes his way out before the throw-in. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

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