Antrim 3-10 Wexford 0-13, By Ronan Fagan from Glenavy
Two poorly conceded third-quarter goals cost the Wexford footballers as home-side Antrim garnered maximum spoils from Sunday’s opening-round Allianz National League Division 4 duel at a sunny but chilly St. Joseph’s GAC, Glenavy.
Antrim sparked into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead inside 13 minutes, but Wexford worked their way impressively into the tie as new boss Paul Galvin made his managerial debut on the national stage.
Points from Jonathan Bealin (2 frees) and Glen Malone added to an earlier Ben Brosnan score as Wexford closed to within 0-6 to 0-4 after 24 minutes.
Wexford ‘keeper Pa Doyle was vigilant in clearing some goal danger before Niall Hughes and Brosnan (free) tied matters on 0-6 apiece after 29 minutes during a spell when the Model County really appeared to have their tails up.
But Antrim further tested Wexford’s resolve when no.10 Eunan Walsh weaved his way through to find the net (1-6 to 0-6).
Wexford responded encouragingly as Jonathan Bealin pointed from the only offensive-mark awarded during the game after a delivery from Eoghan Nolan, while Tom Byrne sent over a beauty from 40 metres on the right wing to cut the gap to 1-7 to 0-8 at half-time.
But the home-side struck for their second goal three minutes after the restart when no.14 Ruairi McCann palmed to the net.
Wexford rebounded with points from Ben Brosnan and Glen Malone (2-7 to 0-10).
But Antrim were laying siege, and struck back with a point before capitalising upon a defensive error for Ruairi McCann to bag his second personal goal in the 49th-minute to gain a vital cushion (3-8 to 0-10).
Wexford never lacked spirit and they certainly weren’t without hope – Jonathan Bealin (free) and sub Seán Nolan pegging back points before Ben Brosnan went close to goaling only to see his point-blank effort parried by the ‘keeper at the expense of a point on 63 minutes (3-8 to 0-13).
The purple-and-gold kept plugging away, but unfortunately their endeavours wasn’t enough but Yet offered some positives to carry into next Saturday’s derby against Carlow at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Antrim – Oisin Kerr; Patrick Gallagher, Ricky Johnston, Mark Gardiner; Declan Lynch (capt.), James McAuley, Peter Healy; Colum Duffin (0-2), Marc Jordan; Eunan Walsh (1-0), Patrick McBride (0-1 free), Niall Delargy; Patrick Cunningham (0-6, 4 frees), Ruairi McCann (2-1), Conor Murray.
Subs: Conor Small for Patrick Cunningham (54); Eoin Nagle for Marc Jordan (60); Adam Loughran for Niall Delargy (70); Dermot McAleese for Colum Duffin (70).
Wexford – Pa Doyle; Martin O’Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Jim Rossiter; Ronan Devereux, Conor Carty, Glen Malone (0-2); Eoghan Nolan, Niall Hughes (0-1); Rory Heffernan, James Stafford, Brian Malone; Ben Brosnan (0-4 1 free), Jonathan Bealin (0-4, 3 frees), Tom Byrne (0-1).
Subs: John Dunne for Rory Heffernan (49); Seán Nolan (0-1) for James Stafford (53); Mark Rossiter for Jonathan Bealin (67); Conor Devitt for Tom Byrne (70); Liam Coleman for Eoghan Nolan (70+6).
Referee – Barry Tiernan (Dublin).