Cork hurlers see off Wexford rally to advance in All Ireland qualifiers

CORK’S terrific start was enough to help them overcome Wexford, 2-22 to 0-20, in an All-Ireland hurling qualifier at Wexford Park on Saturday evening.

On target: Conor Lehane.

The home side had no answer to the Rebels’ dominant first half as Cork led by 14 at half time having played against the wind, and while Wexford did come more into the game in the second half, to come with six points at one stage, the Munster men held out to advance.

First-half goals from Conor Lehane and Seamus Harnedy, as well as some excellent points from Patrick Horgan and the excellent Lehane, saw Cork lead 2-10 to 0-4 after 20 minutes. Cork led 2-17 to 0-9 at the break.

After the sides swapped three points apiece at the start of the second half, eight points in a row from Wexford finally saw this match come to life, before Lehane, again, came up trumps with important points for Cork as they saw off the comeback and advanced to the next round of the qualifiers.

Wexford: M Fanning; L Ryan, M O’Hanlon, E Moore; A Shore, L Chin, P Foley; D Redmond (0-2), A Nolan (0-1); D O’Keeffe, K Foley (0-1), I Byrne (0-12, 9f); P Morris (0-1), C McDonald (0-1), L Óg McGovern.

Subs used: A Kenny, D Waters, H Keogh (0-2), R Jacob, G Sinnott.

Cork: A Nash; D Cahalane (0-1), S McDonnell, B Murphy; A Walsh, M Ellis, C Murphy; D Kearney, B Cooper (0-2); C Lehane (1-6), P Cronin (0-1), B Lawton (0-2); A Cadogan, S Harnedy (1-1), P Horgan (0-9, 5f).

Subs used: S Moylan, D McCarthy, B Sullivan.

Referee: A Kelly (Galway)