WEXFORD defeated Limerick 1-19 to 1-12 in round seven of the Allianz Hurling League in the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.
The victors were the better team throughout this game and they were value for their victory. John Kiely will be looking for an improvement in his side's performance ahead of the Munster championship.
Limerick midfielder Darragh O'Donovan made his first appearance of the year on Saturday night. It was O'Donovan's first start for Limerick since the 2023 All-Ireland final.
Kilkenny's victory over Limerick relegated Wexford into Division 1B for the 2026 season.
It was a cagey opening period with both sides guilty of some wayward shooting in the first half. Wexford hit 13 wides, while Limerick hit two wides in the first half.
The Shannonsiders struggled to gain primary possession in attack and Kiely's side only managed to score 0-2 from play in the first half.
Adam English opened the scoring to put the home side into an early lead. Wexford responded through Lee Chin and Conor Hearne. Limerick wing forward Gearoid Hegarty took on the Wexford defence and Hegarty made it 0-2 apiece on five minutes.
Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane added a 65 and a free to push Limerick 0-4 to 0-2 in front. Keith Rossister's side will be frustrated with his side's shooting in the opening 12 minutes where they hit three wides from scorebale frees.
Wexford's Kevin Foley and Aaron Gillane then swapped points in a two minute period. Two placed balls courtesy of Lee Chin levelled matters once again. Gillane replied with his second placed of the evening as Limerick led 0-6 to 0-5 on 20 minutes.
On 26 minutes, Limerick full back Mike Casey limped off through injury.
The visitors went on to land the next four points with Kevin Foley, Lee Chin, Conor Hearne and Cathal Dunbar all on target before the interval. Byrnes nailed a free on the stroke of half time as Limerick trailed 0-9 to 0-6 at the break.
Meanwhile, both sides continued to be inaccurate in front of goals. Wexford finished with 21 wides in this contest and Limerick hit 13 wides.
Rory O'Connor and Jack Redmond extended Wexford's lead in the early stages of the second half. On 40 minutes, Darragh O'Donovan off loaded the sliotar to Shane O'Brien. O'Brien took on the Wexford defence and his shot was saved by Wexford goalkeeper Mark Fanning. O'Brien followed in the rebound and the Kilmallock clubman finished the sliotar into the back of the net.
Four minutes later, Tom Morrissey got his first point of the evening to deadlock the sides for the fourth time. Lee Chin then set up Wexford's Kevin Foley for a goal when Foley slotted the sliotar into the back of the net from close range.
Gillane responded to make it 1-9 to 1-11 on 47 minutes. Scores from Cian Molloy, Cathal Dubar and Lee Chin put the Slaneysiders into the ascendency as they led 1-14 to 1-9 on 52 minutes. Wexford substitute Seamus Casey made an impact from the bench.
The victors kept the scoreboard ticking in the final ten minutes as Cathal Dubar, Damien Reck, Seamus Casey and Rory O'Connor ensured Wexford's victory. Limerick kept battling away in the final quarter and efforts from Tom Morrissey and Diarmaid Byrnes narrowed the gap.
In the end it was too late as Limerick tasted their third defeat of the Allianz Hurling League.
Limerick now switch their focus to their Munster championship opener against Tipperary on Sunday, April 20.
SCORERS:
Aaron Gillane (0-4,0-4 frees), Shane O’Brien 1-0, Diarmaid Byrnes (0-3 frees, 0-1 free and 0-1 65), Tom Morrissey (0-3, 0-1 free), Gearoid Hegarty and Adam English 0-1 each.
Kevin Foley 1-2; Lee Chin (0-5, 0-4 frees), Cathal Dunbar 0-3; Rory O’Connor 0-2, Seamus Casey (0-2, 0-1 free) Conor Hearne 0-2, Jack Redmond, Cian Molloy and Damien Reck 0-1 each.
LIMERICK: Shane Dowling (Na Piarsaigh); Vincent Harrington (Na Piarsaigh), Mike Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Barry Nash (South Liberties); Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell); Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), Cian Scully (Dromin/Athlacca); Micheal Houlihan (Kilmallock) , Darragh O’Donovan (Doon); Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick’s), Aidan O'Connor (Ballybrown), Tom Morrissey (Ahane); Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), Shane O’Brien (Kilmallock), Adam English (Doon). SUBS: Sean Finn (Bruff) for Casey (26 minutes), Fergal O’Connor (Effin) for Nash (43 minutes-45 minutes), Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleen) for O'Brien (51 minutes), Eddie Stokes for Hegarty (51 minutes), Cian Lynch (Captain, Patrickswell) for O'Donovan (60 minutes), Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh/Castlemahon) for Gillane (63 minutes).
WEXFORD: Mark Fanning; Cian Molloy, Simon Donohue, Conor Foley; Richie Lawlor, Damien Reck, Charlie McGuckin; Conor Hearne, Shane Reck; Jack O'Connor, Lee Chin, Kevin Foley; Cathal Dunbar, Jack Redmond, Rory O'Connor. SUBS: Eoin Ryan for Lawlor (43 minutes), Seamus Casey for Redmond (54 minutes), Conall Clancy for Jack O'Connor (65 minutes), Darren Codd for Dunbar (70 minutes), David Codd for Foley (71 minutes), Mike Kelly for Donohoe (73 minutes).
REFEREE: Colm McDonald (Antrim)
