NHL Division One/ Cork 0-19 Wexford 0-7: This was a result that does not even reflect Cork's superiority such was their total dominance of a poor Wexford in this totally one-sided A game at Wexford Park yesterday.
Not alone were Cork by far the superior team, there was even a glint in the eye of selector Ger Cunningham as he spoke of his side's performance at the end of what must have been a satisfactory 70 minutes for the backroom team.
Cunningham said: "We moved the ball about with great pace and confidence. Leading by two points at the interval having played into the strong wind left us happy. It's now in our own hands against Clare to secure a place in the knockout stages."
Cork looked very sharp. Their first touch was top class, while the accuracy of their passing and finishing, even though they seldom had to get out of first gear, sets them up neatly for their showdown with Clare.
Wexford were confronted by an inspired Niall Ronan playing out of right corner forward. Ronan finished with a personal tally of 0-10, with 0-5 from play in what was a scintillating display up front.
This was serious wake-up call for Wexford as it showed the huge gap that exists between the top and the middle class. But for the heroics of Damien Fitzhenry in goal, and David O'Connor and Darragh Ryan in the full back line, Wexford would have been completely overwhelmed.
Within two minutes of the start, Ronan had two points on the scoreboard, one from a free, with Cork never headed in the game. Indeed Wexford, despite having first use of the strong wind, had to wait until the 22nd minute for their opening score, a Rory Jacob pointed free, which was followed by points from Dessie Mythen and Eoin Quigley, to leave the sides level at 0-3 each after 25 minutes.
There were signs that Wexford would begin to lift their game but it was then that Ronan and Brian Corcoran cruised into the game with further points, while at the opposite end Darren Stamp pulled an effort the wrong side of the post three minutes before the break.
Ronan and Stamp went on to exchange points but Cork must have been happy leading 0-6 to 0-4 at the interval, for they had played all the quality hurling.
Wexford had problems throughout the lines. The Cork half back line of Ronan Curran, John Gardiner and Cian O'Connor were controlling the game, while Wayne Sherlock, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Brian Murphy were commanding in front of goal. With Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Tom Kenny dominant in midfield, Cork worked steadily, building up attacks with neat striking, accurate passing, as they continued to impose themselves on the home side.
Cork hit five unanswered points within seven minutes of the restart, through two from Niall McCarthy, and one each from Ronan, Corcoran and substitute Cathal Naughton.
Wexford were bereft of ideas in attack and Donal Óg Cusack did not have a shot to save all through and saw his side cruise through the last 20 minutes.
A despondent Wexford manager Séamus Murphy said: "We shot six wides early on when we needed scores and it seemed to drain the side's confidence. The defence held up well under almost incessant pressure but it was a disappointing display."
CORK: D Óg Cusack; W Sherlock, D O'Sullivan, B Murphy; R Curran (0-1), J Gardiner, C O'Connor; T Kenny, S Óg Ó hAilpín (0-1); K Murphy (Erin's Own), C McGann, N McCarthy (0-2); N Ronan (0-10, five frees), B Corcoran (0-4), K Murphy (Sarsfields). Subs: C Naughton (0-1) for K Murphy (Erin's Own, 35 mins), P Mulcahy for McGann (55 mins), S O'Neill for K Murphy (Sarsfields, 63 mins).
WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; D O'Connor, D Ryan, K Rossiter; M Travers, D Ruth (0-2, from 65s), C Kenny; D Stamp (0-1), D Lyng (0-1); M Jacob, E Quigley (0-1), S Doyle; R Jacob (0-1), MJ Furlong, D Mythen (0-1). Subs: P Carley for M Jacob (50 mins), S O'Neill for Furlong (50 mins), P Roche for Travers (58 mins), B Lambert for Lyng (63 mins).
Referee: A McSuibhne (Dublin).
