Wexford Stunned On Road Trip North To Antrim

National Hurling League, Division 1
Antrim 3-11 Wexford 1-10

Wexford made the long journey North in confident mood following last week's impressive win over league and Munster champions Waterford. Antrim went into the game in a confused mood following last weeks mauling by Dublin. Yet when the final whistle blew it was Antrim who had emphatically taken the league points with a very impressive display.

Though Antrim's first goal was a present from Wexford goal keeper Flynn, Antrim were the far more polished team and were well worth their half time lead of 2-5 to 0-4. In that period Wexford were guilty of some woeful shooting which cost them dearly in the end.

The expected Wexford revival never materialised. The nearest they got to Antrim was four points mid-way through the second half. Then in the fifty fifth minute Stewart scored Antrim's third goal to almost guarantee them the points. Wexford did score their goal shortly afterwards but the momentum was by then with the Antrim men who never really looked like loosing the game.

Tipperary 2-10 Limerick 2-9

This game, played in cold but ideal hurling conditions before a very large attendance at Thurles was a big let down. An under-strength Limerick were never in the hunt and from early on it was evident that a severe beating was on the cards. That it eventually came was no surprise and were it not for the brave display of Bulfin in the Limerick goal Tipperary's winning tally would have been of cricket portions.

Limerick, with only three of their All-Ireland team on duty were out-classed from the first whistle. At the half time break it was 1-12 to 0-6 for Tipperary with Owen Kelly scoring 1-7 of Tipperary's half time score. Kelly eventually scored 1-12 a total equal to that of Limericks.

Tipperary roll on but this was no real test for them. They do however, look quite impressive but they will surely realise that the momentum must be maintained as All-Irelands. Limerick badly need all their injured players back.

Offaly 3-9 Galway 0-18

Offaly recovered from last weeks heavy defeat by Tipperary to force a draw with high flying Galway at Tullamore. In fact Offaly should possibly have held on for a single point win as Galway's equalizer came through a late Faraghar free that was dubious in the extreme.

Offaly looked some what leaden in the opening half and without over-exerting themselves Galway went in at half time leading by 0-11 to 1-3. However helped by some positional changes and a vast improvement in their play Offaly had reduced the deficit by two points by the fiftieth minute.

Then two Offaly goals and quick retreation had them in the lead by two points with a little over ten minutes remaining. Galway to their credit kept hurling and Offaly were forced to concede from close in frees which Faraghar duly converted.

With the game almost up and scores level Franks put Offaly ahead and the game appeared to be theirs. Once again Galway rallied and were rewarded when Faraghar pointed that last second controversial free.

This was a thrilling game played in ideal hurling conditions before an enthusiastic crowd. Both teams will be more than satisfied with a share of the points and more particularly by the manner which they played the game.

Clare 1-25 Laois 1-15

Clare continued the good showing of last weeks defeat to Galway with an impressive ten point win over Laois at Scariff.

Laois started well but gradually a definitively stronger Clare wore them down and by half time the game was as good as over as Clare led by 0-14 to 0-7. Laois have some very good hurlers but one suspects they will require summer conditions to be seen at their best.

Laois began the second half quite well but the advantage gained by their two early points were cancelled in the fifty second minute when Flaherty scored Clare's goal. Thereafter the game became somewhat ragged as Clare, sure of victory went on a scoring spree.

Clare's new forward, Mark Flately followed up last weeks 3-8 against Galway with an impressive 1-12 on Sunday. Though it's early days yet Flaherty looks like a player with genuine quality.

As expected Laois are finding the going rather tough in the first division but in the long term they can only benefit from playing against the better quality teams.

Kilkenny 1-21 Dublin 2-10

If Dublin expected that Kilkenny's long lay off from competitive action would make them vulnerable at Nolan Park they were about to be educated that nothing could be further from the case. This was typical of Kilkenny - hungry for the ball, strong on the tackle and razor sharp in the art of point scoring. Dublin were simply over-whelmed and simply given a hurling lesson.

The early exchanges gave a clear indication of what was to follow. Scoring almost at will Kilkenny ran up a half time lead of 1-12 to 0-7.

When Dublin had the temerity to score a goal in the forty seventh minute Kilkenny responded with five unanswered points. Manager Brian Cody, was left to warn his players against complacency then introduced two subs, Reid and O'Dwyer both of whom added two points a piece to Kilkenny's total. Kilkenny are exactly where they want to be at this time of the year but Dublin have a long way to go.