In this year’s Division 1A National Hurling League, Cork triumphed over Wexford with a score of 3-21 to 1-15. It is usually the more significant losses that provide greater food for thought, and this proved the case for Wexford. For the second consecutive week, Cork showcased their supremacy, although there is still ample scope for betterment. The Red and Whites also gained five uninterrupted training weeks.
However, this significant defeat proved startling for Wexford. What had started as a promising league run fell apart quite dramatically at the end. They went into the semi-finals with a genuine chance, which unfortunately evaporated before the halfway point, ending their undefeated streak.
Wexford’s manager, Keith Rossiter, refused to use any excuse for the loss. He acknowledged Cork’s superior performance on the day and expressed his dissatisfaction with his own team’s performance. He recognized the need for considerable improvement within his team. Despite the league’s disappointing end, Rossiter affirms that their initial goal of staying in Division 1 hurling was achieved the previous week.
While Cork may not have initially aimed for playoff contention, it became apparent that they would have welcomed an extra match the following week. The team’s primary focus was to develop a stronger squad than the previous season, a goal they accomplished. During the league, Cork utilised over 30 players and there are an estimated five starting positions still in contention.
One significant addition was Alan Connolly, who missed the previous year due to injury. His outstanding performance over recent weeks earned him a certain spot on the team. He successfully secured another hat-trick in Wexford Park, matching his phenomenal performance from the previous Sunday.
Patrick Horgan set up Connolly for his initial goal, a mere 69 seconds into the game, with a fine pass across the Wexford square leading to a successful strike at the far post. Yet again, Connolly received an assist from Horgan for his second goal, coming just nine minutes before halftime, when Horgan skilfully broke a long ball into Connolly’s path. Striding confidently toward the goal, Connolly delivered a brisk, ground-hugging shot that bypassed Mark Fanning.
In the early stages of the second half, his shot was cleared from the line in a scene of near chaos in the crease, but that didn’t dishearten him. He soon ricocheted a forehand lob towards the Wexford goalkeeper; Fanning, however, was prepared and executed an agile save.
Cork were awarded a penalty in the stoppage time of the second half, when Shane Barrett was obstructed en route to the goal. With Horgan off-field, it seemed Shane Kingston would be the penalty taker, but Connolly was given the opportunity instead. His attempt was less than perfect but Fanning still couldn’t stop it.
The match had lost its competitive spirit long before the final whistle. Within five minutes, Cork had a 1-3 to a 0-0 lead, expanding it to 14 by half-time, at 2-13 to 0-5. Despite battling a meddlesome crosswind, Wexford’s haphazard shooting, with seven first-half wides, cannot be chalked up to weather alone.
Ciaran Joyce played a pivotal role at centre back, while Tommy O’Connell rose to the occasion for Cork at centrefield. Wexford, having declined to use an extra defender, dealt with constant pressure thanks to Cork’s midfield dominance. Horgan was in particularly fine form during the initial 20 minutes, helping Cork’s inside forwards to secure 2-4 from play by half time.
Cork had the potential to secure an additional four goals during the latter portion of the game, however, their energy diminished as the match was coming to an end. Notably, Seamus Casey gave an outstanding performance for Wexford, making a definitive difference to the final spread, punctuated by a matter of a goal during the stoppage period. However, the team’s performance underpins the necessity for key players to return prior to the championship’s start – a point Cork didn’t have to emphasise.
The scoreline for the Wexford team were M Fanning (0-3 all frees), S. Donohoe, C. Foley (0-1), E. Ryan, D. Carley (0-2), D. Reck, M. O’Hanlon, C. Hearne, S. Reck, C. McGuckin, J. O’Connor, C. Dunbar, K. Foley, S. Casey (1-9, seven frees), C. Byrne. Substitutes included M. Dwyer and L. Og McGovern replacing Dunbar and McGuckin at half time, C. McDonald substituting Byrne at 49 minutes, T. Kinsella on for O’Connor at 55 minutes, and N. Murphy for Carley at 69 minutes.
Cork’s results came from P. Collins (0-1), E. Downey, D. Cahalane, S. O’Donoghue, G. Mellerick, C. Joyce (0-1), R. Downey (0-1), T. O’Connell (0-1), D. Fitzgibbon, D. Dalton, S. Harnedy (0-1), B. Hayes 0-2, P. Horgan (0-8, seven frees), A. Connolly (3-2, one penalty), S. Barrett (0-1). Substantial player changes were made at the 49th minute, with L. Meade (0-1) and B. Roche coming in for Fitzgibbon and Harnedy. Further replacements were made with C. Lehane (0-1) and S. Kingston (0-1, one free) at 55 and 59 minutes for Dalton and Horgan respectively, and finally T. O’Mahony substituted R. Downey at 65 minutes.
The referee for the match was Liam Gordon from Galway.