Wexford 1-11
\nLimerick 0-11<\/p>\n
Ronan Fagan reports from Chadwicks Wexford Park<\/em><\/p>\n ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Limerick were rocked by a second-half Mikie Dwyer goal in Sunday\u2019s Allianz Hurling League Division 1 opener against jubilant Wexford at a blustery Chadwicks Wexford Park.<\/p>\n John Kiely\u2019s men overcame some alarming first-half shooting \u2013 ten wides \u2013 to lead 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.<\/p>\n But Wexford kept pace and stoutly maintained an edge after Dwyer\u2019s 59th minute breakthrough turned the tables by 1-9 to 0-11 as the Model County secured their first competitive victory over the Shannonsiders since the corresponding league fixture in 2017.<\/p>\n Wexford\u2019s odds-defying feat is testament to the fortitude of the squad just a week after suffering a sixteen point hammering by Dublin in the Walsh Cup final, and manager Darragh Egan started with eleven of that side in a resounding display of faith.<\/p>\n Limerick had stormed to Munster league honours in January, and they started with nine of last August\u2019s All-Ireland heroes on this occasion.<\/p>\n But their finishing troubles from that pre-season tournament carried over into this Group A league duel as they squandered a host of chances despite first assistance of the strong wind.<\/p>\n Indeed, as they erred, Jack O\u2019Connor fired Wexford into a 0-2 to n\u00edl lead before Declan Hannon and Aaron Gillane levelled after twelve minutes.<\/p>\n But Limerick\u2019s shooting issues saw Ois\u00edn Foley, a league debutante, and Diarmuid O\u2019Keeffe assert Wexford by 0-4 to 0-2 before Conor McDonald was denied a goal as Dan Morrissey recovered to clear.<\/p>\n Wexford maintained a two point advantage following a double exchange of scores, but Limerick sorted out their radar to claw out a 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead after a double from Gear\u00f3id Hegarty and a Diarmaid Byrnes\u2019 free.<\/p>\n Byrnes tagged on another dead-ball on the resumption, but a further Jack O\u2019Connor brace hammered home Wexford\u2019s intent, and the sides remained inseparable after 47 minutes as Ois\u00edn Foley cancelled out a David Reidy free (0-9 each).<\/p>\n Limerick sought to steal clear as Robbie Hanley and Hegarty shot them 0-11 to 0-9 clear.<\/p>\n But Wexford fired back with the decisive blow \u2013 Mikie Dwyer latching onto a long-range Jack O\u2019Connor free to net despite losing his balance.<\/p>\n Conor McDonald and Connal Flood increased the margin to 1-11 to 0-11 before Wexford held firm in the face of desperate Limerick efforts to salvage something.<\/p>\n Scorers for Wexford: Jack O\u2019Connor (0-5, 4 frees), Mikie Dwyer (1-0), Ois\u00edn Foley, Connal Flood (0-2 each), Diarmuid O\u2019Keeffe, Conor McDonald (0-1 each).<\/p>\n Scorers for Limerick: Diarmaid Byrnes (0-3, 1 \u201965, 2 frees), Gear\u00f3id Hegarty (0-3), Aaron Gillane (0-2 frees), Declan Hannon, David Reidy (free), Robbie Hanley (0-1 each).<\/p>\n Wexford<\/p>\n 1 Mark Fanning (Glynn-Barntown)<\/p>\n 2 Simon Donohoe (Shelmaliers), 3 Liam Ryan (Rapparees), 4 Matthew O\u2019Hanlon (St. James\u2019)<\/p>\n 5 Damien Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien), 6 P\u00e1draig Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), 20 Connal Flood (Cloughbawn)<\/p>\n 8 Diarmuid O\u2019Keeffe (St. Anne\u2019s), 9 Cathal Dunbar (Naomh \u00c9anna)<\/p>\n 11 Liam \u00d3g McGovern (St. Anne\u2019s), 7 Jack O\u2019Connor (St. Martin\u2019s), 12 Charlie McGuckin (Naomh \u00c9anna)<\/p>\n 10 Ois\u00edn Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn), 14 Conor McDonald (Naomh \u00c9anna), 15 Mikie Dwyer (Fethard)<\/p>\n Subs:<\/p>\n 19 David Dunne (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy) for Dunbar (60)<\/p>\n 25 Ois\u00edn Pepper (Rapparees) for McGuckin (64)<\/p>\n 23 Paul Morris (Ferns St. Aidan\u2019s) for O\u2019Connor (70)<\/p>\n Limerick<\/p>\n 1 Nicky Quaid (Effin)<\/p>\n 2 Barry Nash (South Liberties), 3 Dan Morrissey (Ahane), 4 Richie English (Doon)<\/p>\n \n Get closer to the stories that matter with exclusive analysis, insight and debate in The42 Membership.\n <\/p>\n Become a Member<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n 5 Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 6 Declan Hannon (Adare), 7 Colin Coughlan (Ballybrawn)<\/p>\n 22 Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock), 9 William O\u2019Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh)<\/p>\n 10 Cathal O\u2019Neill (Crecora Manister), 11 Tom Morrissey (Ahane), 12 Gearoid Hegarty (St, Patrick\u2019s)<\/p>\n 13 Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), 14 Pat Ryan (Doon), 15 David Reidy (Dromin-Athlacca)<\/p>\n Subs:<\/p>\n 21 Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) for Gillane (HT)<\/p>\n 26 Ois\u00edn O\u2019Reilly (Kilmallock) for Ryan (46)<\/p>\n 17 Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh) for O\u2019Neill (60)<\/p>\n 24 Darren O\u2019Connell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry) for Reidy (67)<\/p>\n 8 Brian O\u2019Grady (Kilteely-Dromkeen) for Hanley (70)<\/p>\n Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).<\/p>\n The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!<\/p>\n
DIFFERENTLY<\/p>\n