A Tipperary side of greater physical strength and skill comfortably overcame Wexford at Croke Park yesterday.

Wexford's difficulties were reflected in the decision of the selectors to replace both midfielders, Philip Doyle and Diarmuid Lyng, together with attack leader Anthony O'Leary during the game.

The slow scoring rate of the Leinster team militated against their chances. They trailed 0-4 to 0-9 at half-time and failed to add to this meagre tally until early in the last quarter when Danny Donway tacked on a point. Their goal came a couple of minutes later from a well-taken penalty by centre back Darren Stamp and left just six points between the teams.

But Tipperary hit back quickly with their second goal and John O'Brien added a classic goal with four minutes remaining, drilling a searing shot to the net. Tipperary goalkeeper Damien Young had brought off two startling first-half saves and Wexford also had a Goggins "goal" disallowed just before half-time for a square infringement.

TIPPERARY: D Young; C Everard, P Curran, D Maher; C Ryan, K Mulryan, L Kearney; T King (0-1), S Mason; E Brislane (0-1), D Gleeson (0-3), D Shelly (1-1); E Kelly (1-5 one free), C Houlihane, K Brien (1-2). Subs: D McGrath for Houlihan (41 mins); R Leahy for Brislane (50 min).

WEXFORD: M White; P Donoghue, D O'Connor, A Kavanagh; L Gleeson, D Stamp (1-0 pen), J McDonald; P Doyle, D Lyng; D Donway (0-1), A O'Leary, R Freeeman (0-2); D Mythen (0-2), [R O]J Goggins, L O'Connell (0-3). Subs: B Lambert for Doyle (20 mins); R Barry for A O'Leary (38 mins); T Wall for D Lyng (46 mins).

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).