Cian Byrne’s Model display has final say for Wexford

Byrne’s 100 per cent record from frees (0-7 in total) punished every slip-up in the visitors’ defence.

James O’Brien drew first blood for Dublin with a point inside two minutes, before Byrne followed with two quick-fire points (a free and a ’65) to edge his side in front.

Byrne continued to fire over the points as Cian Ó Cathasaigh and Dara Purcell points kept Dublin in contention as the home side led 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.

Wexford enjoyed the ideal start on the resumption as Shamey O’Hagan cut inside the defence and picked out full-forward Jack Redmond who found the net to seal a 1-8 to 0-6 lead.

Dublin fought back through Brendan Scanlon, who found the net from close in to reduce the deficit to 1-10 to 1-8.

But Wexford, with both Cian Molloy and Kyle Scallan outstanding in defence, held firm in the closing minutes to deny Dublin an opportunity of even bring the game to extra-time.

Scorers – Wexford: C Byrne 0-10 (7f, 1 ’65); J Redmond 1-1 (0-1f); J Barrett, C Molloy, D Carley, T Kinsella 0-1 each. Dublin: B Scanlon 1-2 (0-2f); J O’Brien 0-4 (2f); T Gleeson, D Crowe, D Purcell 0-2 each; D Ó Dullaing, C Ó Cathasaigh 0-1 each.

Wexford – C Byrne; E Ryan, K Scallan, AJ Redmond; J Barrett, C Molloy, C Foley; D Carley, L Kavanagh; R Lawlor; C Byrne-Dunbar, S O’Hagan; D Codd, J Redmond, C Byrne. Subs: T Kinsella for Lawlor (45), C Walsh for Codd (59).

Dublin – E O’Connor; A Keegan, P Doyle, L Ó Lochlainn; J Flanagan, D Crowe, C Walsh; C Ó Cathasaigh, S Gallagher; J O’Brien, B McSweeney, D Ó Dullaing; D Purcell, B Scanlon, C Keher. Subs: B Dunne for Gallagher (36), M Murphy for Scanlon (48), T Gleeson for Keher (50); F Rock for Ó Lochlainn (56).

Ref – S Guinan (Offaly).