Goalie Mark Fanning emerged as Wexford's captain fantastic after snatching Saturday’s opening round National Hurling League Division 1B spoils with a goal direct from a free eight minutes into added-time.
Antrim sub Conor Johnston had pounced for a goal eleven seconds into injury-time to nudge Davy Fitzgerald’s charges back in front (1-12 to 0-12) after Wexford had battled back to parity for the fourth-time.
While conditions were uninspiring – driving wind and rain – Wexford found the resolve to force one last-gasp chance deep into added-time, with Fanning blasting to the net moments before the final-whistle.
But referee Thomas Walsh came under strong protestations from the Antrim backroom, with the match official having halted a goaling advance by the visitors when awarding a free which led to Wexford creating the ultimately decisive blow.
The standard of play was in keeping with the treacherous weather conditions for much of the opening-half, although Antrim sparked into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead with first benefit of the strong wind.
Free-taker Seaan Elliott accounted for all the Saffron’s early tally, but they were guilty of squandering opportunities to strengthen their position, including four efforts dropping short.
Wexford began to weather things better as emerging talent Simon Roche, on his seventh appearance, spearheaded the home-side’s drive to level on 0-5 apiece after 28 minutes, the Oulart-The Ballagh young-gun notching three (two frees) and Conor Hearne also chipping in.
Elliot and Roche traded scores before a 33rd minute flashpoint led to referee Thomas Walsh booking Antrim’s Paul Boyle.
Wexford raised a fresh gallop, but after Kevin Foley’s promising delivery to the centrally placed Ciarán O’Connor was cut out, the opposition finished the half strongly with scores from Paul Boyle, captain Conal Cunning – returning after missing 2025 through injury – and Elliott (free) to swell Antrim’s half-time position to 0-9 to 0-6.
That margin was maintained after James Byrne negated an early second-half addition by Cunning.
Both sides were reduced to fourteen men moments later when Wexford centre-back Richie Lawlor and Antrim wing-back Gerard Walsh received straight red cards arising from an altercation on the sod.
The gap remained three points after 59 minutes with Roche and Elliott sharing four frees, before Wexford encouraged as substitute Darren Codd and two Roche placed-balls restored parity on the stroke of the 70th minute – Roche having sent over a ’65 after sub Jack Redmond saw his goaling drive cleared off the 'line by Ruairí McCormack (0-12 apiece).
But Antrim seemed to have a grip on the spoils when substitute Conor Johnston pounced with an angled finish to the net eleven seconds into added-time after a surge by fellow subs Ruairí Donaghy and Joseph McLaughlin (1-12 to 0-12).
However, with at least five minutes injury-time indicated, there was plenty to play for, and while Simon Roche forced a save, sub Jack Redmond pegged it back to 1-12 to 0-13 before Wexford forced a late free.
And Antrim dissent saw the dead-ball brought forward, with ‘keeper Fanning ushered forward to power home for a stunning escape to victory seven minutes and seventeen seconds into stoppage-time.
Wexford: Mark Fanning (1-0 free); David Clarke, Conor Foley, Darragh Carley; Niall Murphy, Richie Lawlor, Eamon Wickham; Conor Hearne (0-1), Ross Banville; Ciarán O’Connor, Simon Roche (0-8, 6 frees, 1’65), James Byrne (0-1); Cian Byrne, Tomás Kinsella (0-1), Kevin Foley.
Subs: Corey Byrne-Dunbar for J. Byrne, temp. (29-HT), Byrne-Dunbar for O’Connor (52), Jack Redmond (0-1) for J. Byrne (52), Darren Codd (0-1) for C. Byrne (59), David Codd for Banville (59), Damien Reck for Hearne (59).
Antrim: Domhnall Nugent; Eoin McFerran, Paddy Burke, Ruairí McCormick; Seán McKay, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge (0-1), Eoin O’Neill; Scott Walsh, Paul Boyle (0-1), Seán Duffin (0-1); Seaan Elliott (0-7, 6 frees), James McNaughton, Conal Cunning (0-2).
Subs: Cormac McKeown for Duffin (52), Joseph McLaughlin for McCambridge (59), Conor Johnston (1-0) for Elliott (66), Ruairí Donaghy for S. Walsh (68), Jack McCloskey for O’Neill (70+5).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
