Wexford's prospects of figuring in the knockout stages were given a tremendous boost with victory over a depleted Derry side at Enniscorthy yesterday.
Originally scheduled for Gorey, that pitch was declared unplayable 15 minutes before the game, resulting in both sides making a late dash to Enniscorthy, with the tie eventually getting under way 75 minutes late.
Derry showed they were content with their victory over Laois seven days earlier as they lined out without Oliver Collins, Sean Marty Lockhart, Karl McKeever and John O'Dwyer.
After Wexford goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry had pulled off a first-class opening-minute save from Dermot Doherty, Wexford claimed the game's opening score one minute later when wing forward Darren Stamp forced a Paul Codd centre to the net.
With Adrian Fenlon and Michael Jordan gaining firm control at midfield, and the half-back trio of Larry O'Gorman, Liam Dunne and Declan Ruth dominant, it was not long before the scores began to flow. After Barry Goff and Michael Collins had exchanged points, Wexford, through Colm Byrne, Darren Stamp and Rory McCarthy, raced into a 1-10 to 0-2 lead by the 25th minute.
Colin Byrne crashed home Wexford's second goal five minutes before the break to leave them with the most commanding of leads, 2-12 to 0-3, at the interval.
A 40th-minute goal from Michael Collins failed to lift Derry spirits as Wexford went on to add further goals through full forward Byrne and Paul Finn.
WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; C Kehoe, R Guiney, S Flood; L O'Gorman, L Dunne, D Ruth; A Fenlon, M Jordan; D Stamp (1-3), P Codd (0-5, all frees), R McCarthy (0-2); B Goff (0-2), C Byrne (2-5), P Finn (1-2). Subs: M Jacob (0- 1) for McCarthy; R Kirwan for Flood; G Laffan for Byrne; K Furlong for O'Gorman.
DERRY: K Stevenson; M Quinn, C Murray, R Lynch; P Kelly, C McEldowney, M Conway; R McCloskey, S McCartney; R Kennedy, G Buggy (0-5, all frees), F McEldowney; D McGrellis (0-1), M Collins (1-1), D Doherty. Subs: P McKague for McGrellis; B Ward for F McEldowney.
Referee: J M Kelly (Waterford).
