Naomh Éanna 2-18 Oylegate-Glenbrien 2-12
Naomh Eanna produced a powerful second-half surge to claim a second Wexford SHC championship crown – and first since 2018 - against keen rivals Oylegate-Glenbrien at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Underdogs Oylegate, in their first final since 1963, led for much of the way after netting early in either half.
But after bursting 2-08 to 1-08 ahead inside 20 seconds of the resumption, the underdogs were outscored by 1-06 to 0-01 between the 36th and 49th minutes as Naomh Éanna finally gained a firm foothold en route to atoning for their 2020 final heartache against Shelmaliers.
Wind assisted Oylegate-Glenbrien made an explosive start in front of the 6,800 attendance when score merchant Seamus Casey collected a puck-out to spark raucous cheers as he blasted to the town-end net in the second minute.
And there was cause for further alarm amongst the Naomh Eanna ranks when Podge Doran intercepted a short Gorey puck-out to force a '65 that Casey converted before Doran made it 1-02 to no score from a line-ball.
Naomh Éanna needed a response and they got it with an eighth minute goal from Pádraig Doyle after a hand-pass from Jack Cullen, and Charlie McGuckin soon had it down to 1-02 to 1-01.
But Oylegate-Glenbrien asserted by 1-05 to 1-01 midway through the half, as Podge Doran cut over a second line-ball while Seamus Casey landed a pair of frees, including one from deep inside his own half.
The pendulum kept swinging as Gorey fought back to within 1-06 to 1-05 after 22 minutes with Wexford stars Cathal Dunbar and Conor McDonald (two) to fore as Cian Browne and Jack Cullen also made their mark.
But the Gorey goal survived another scare during that spell when a delivery from Conor Heffernan was spilled by the 'keeper with Peter Rowley's bid to net being foiled by Brendan Travers.
And the sides shared the next four points before Jack Cullen tied matters for the first time with a long-range free on the stroke of half-time (1-08 apiece).
Oylegate-Glenbrien seemed to deliver another upper-cut just after the restart when Podge Doran goaled after a Conor Heffernan delivery sparked a juggling act inside.
Regardless, it remained tight as Gorey bridged the gap again by the 39th minute through McGuckin (two) and McDonald before McGuckin's fifth helped north county men savour a first taste of the lead after 44 minutes (1-13 to 2-9).
And they burst four clear clear when McDonald fetched a long delivery from Jack Doran to outwit the ‘keeper and his marker and power home in in the 46th minute.
Oylegate-Glenbrien tried to salvage their dream, but Naomh Éanna always found a way to dash it as they booked a Leinster quarter-final against the Offaly champions in early November.
Naomh Éanna: Jack Cushe; Brendan Travers, Eoin Molloy, Tom Stafford; Charlie McGuckin (0-4), Cian Molloy, Cian Ó Tuama; Seán Doyle, Jack Doran; Cian Browne (0-1), Cathal Dunbar (0-2), Jack Cullen (0-5, 4 frees); Aodhán Doyle, Conor McDonald (1-4), Pádraig Doyle (1-2, 0-1 free).
Subs: Eoin Conroy for S. Doyle, temp. (26-27), Seán Óg Whelan for Doran (65), Conroy for Travers (58),
Oylegate-Glenbrien: Aaron Duggan; Tomás Cosgrave, Ciarán Hourihane, Shane Reck; Mike Kelly, Damien Reck, Paudie Casey; Pa Cullen, Jack Reck (0-2); Fiachra Hourihane, Seamus Casey (1-7, 0-5 frees, 0-2 ‘65s), Joe Dunne; Conor Heffernan (0-1), Podge Doran (1-2, 0-2 line-balls), Peter Rowley.
Subs: Jamie Reck for F. Hourihane (43), Evan Kelly for Heffernan (53), Fergal Doran for Rowley (55),
Referee: Dan Crosby (Kilmore).
