Wexford got the job done, but without being utterly convincing, as they posted a vital victory over Antrim in Saturday's Leinster SHC round-robin duel at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Although the hosts seemed destined to respond comfortably to defeat to Galway as they led the Saffrons 1-19 to 1-10 at half-time, Darragh Egan’s charges had their work cut out in the second period.
Indeed, with Conal Cunning deadly from placed-balls, Antrim were right on Wexford’s coat-tails entering the closing stages only to be denied before a crowd of 4,200.
The reigning Joe McDonagh Cup champions must now beat Kilkenny in Belfast next weekend to maintain any hope of qualifying, as they then close out the group stages with back-to-back away ties, against Galway and Westmeath.
Wexford, meanwhile, will need to address some obvious shortcomings away to Dublin next weekend before hosting Westmeath and Kilkenny.
Despite a sprite start by Wexford – Rory O'Connor sandwiching a Liam Óg McGovern score – for a 0-03 to no-score lead, Antrim responded keenly as Seaan Elliott and Gerard Walsh (free) shaved it to the minimum after five minutes.
Things remained tight as the sides traded scores before an Oisín Foley double suggested a Wexford surge was in the offing as they pulled 0-6 to 0-3 ahead on ten minutes.
But Antrim shook things up seconds later when James McNaughton dashed in from the right wing to crash home an equalising goal (1-3 to 0-6).
Vibrant Wexford struck back in telling fashion when hitting Antrim for 1-6 between the eleventh and seveteenth minutes while leaking just a point in that spell.
Jack O’Connor hit a quick brace before his brother, Rory, a constant thorn in Antrim’s side, released Cathal Dunbar, who jigged by a couple of defenders before stitching the net in the fourteenth minute to help Wexford reassert by 1-12 to 1-04.
Antrim remained game as Michael Bradley, Conal Cunning, Keelan Molloy and McNaughton pegged it back to 1-13 to 1-08 by the 25th minute.
Wexford flexed their muscle again though as defender Simon Donohoe hit the mark, while Oisín Foley (two), Jack O’Connor and Chin (two frees) generated a 1-19 to 1-10 divide by half-time.
However, Antrim had gone agonisingly close to netting in the 35th minute, when Keelan Molloy fed substitute Rian McMullan, only for McMullan to be thwarted at the expense of a '65.
With a fresh mist dropping, Wexford resumed minus full-back Liam Ryan as injury saw him replaced by Joe O’Connor.
And the new addition and his defensive colleagues were tested by an invigorated resumption from Antrim as the Glen’s men closed to within 1-20 to 1-14 by the 42nd minute through Neil McManus, Conal Cunning (free), sub Rian McMullan and Conor Johnston.
Lee Chin and Rory O’Connor responded to steady Wexford, and the O’Connors, Jack and Rory, helped strengthen home control by 1-25 to 1-16 after 51 minutes.
But Antrim were persistent and were right in the mix on 1-28 to 1-23 after 65 minutes as Cunning (three frees) and subs McMullan, Paul Boyle and Séamie McAuley kept Wexford on their toes.
Indeed, the home-side were thankful for another intervention by 'keeper James Lawlor as he blocked a close-range drive from Keelan Molloy.
And Antrim kept Wexford on tenterhooks, although late points from Rory O’Connor and sub Richie Lawlor ensured the hosts got the necessary done.
Wexford: James Lawlor; Matthew O’Hanlon, Liam Ryan, Conor Foley; Simon Donohoe (0-1), Shane Reck, Conor Devitt; Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Conor Hearne; Jack O’Connor (0-5), Lee Chin (0-8, 4 frees, 1 ‘65), Oisín Foley (0-4); Liam Óg McGovern (0-2), Rory O’Connor (0-7), Cathal Dunbar (1-2).
Subs: Joe O’Connor for Ryan, inj. (HT), Conor McDonald for Hearne (46), Kevin Foley for O’Keeffe (54), Mikie Dwyer for J. O’Connor (59), Richie Lawlor (0-1) for Dunbar (69).
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Niall O’Connor (0-1); Gerard Walsh (0-1 free), Eoghan Campbell, Scott Walsh; Michael Bradley (0-1), Seaan Elliott (0-1); Keelan Molloy (0-1), Joe Maskey, James McNaughton (1-1); Conal Cunning (0-13, 10 frees, 2 ‘65s), Neil McManus (0-2, 1 free), Conor Johnston (0-1).
Subs: Rian McMullan (0-2) for Maskey (32), Paul Boyle (0-1) for S. Walsh (33), Eoin O’Neill for S. Elliott (45), Séamie McAuley (0-1) for Johnston (55), Domhnall Nugent for Campbell (64).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
