Cork win despite Wexford comeback
Sunday, 25 March 2007Cork jumped up to second in the Allianz NHL Division 1A standings courtesy of their third league win, a 1-17 to 0-18 beating of Wexford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh today.
Towards the end of this tie, Wexford hit seven points in a row but a goal crucially eluded them.
Neil Ronan, Niall McCarthy, Joe Deane and Pa Cronin were all on target as Cork led 0-12 to 0-09 at the break.
Wexford's Paul Carley struck 0-05, including a free from his own half, in the first half before going off injured.
Substitute Cathal Naughton's brilliant 37th-minute goal helped Cork go 1-16 to 0-10 clear before Wexford had their revival.
Two long-range frees from Ronan, who lined out at full-forward with Diarmuid 'The Rock' O'Sullivan restored to full-back, and a driven shot from McCarthy sent Cork into a 0-03 to 0-00 lead after seven minutes.
Wexford soon snaffled a good share of possession and Carley (0-02), Rory Jacob and Richie Kehoe notched points to cut the gap to 0-09 to 0-04 by the 23rd minute.
The highlight of the half, from a Wexford point of view, came when Diarmuid 'Gizzy' Lyng beautifully drew over a sideline cut from 50 metres to all-round appreciation.
Cork's 12-point tally at the half's end included 0-05 (3f) from the industrious Ronan and 0-03 (1f) from Deane. Both Cronin and Deane connected for some lovely long-range scores.
Naughton cut in from the end-line to slam home the only goal of the game, two minutes into the second half, and Cork, with Deane back on form, looked to be coasting at 1-16 to 0-10.
Barry Lambert, who replaced the injured Carley, struck three straight points and Rory Jacob also added to his tally as Wexford had their purple patch but it was not enough to deny Gerald McCarthy's Rebels, who travel to meet Clare next weekend.
