Clare's first home win over Wexford in seven years ensured that the home side opened the door for Dublin to grab the final promotion spot from Allianz Hurling League Division 1B in front of 6,575 in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, Ennis.
With Wexford craving victory just to keep their league final fate in their own hands heading into the final round in two weeks time, that outcome didn’t seem likely for large chunks of the contest as the hosts led by as much as eight points in both halves to predominantly control matters.
A Simon Roche 58th minute goal did reignite the Leinster side’s challenge as they eventually slashed a six point deficit to just one entering the final ten minutes.
However, Clare cooly answered with the next five points through free taker Peter Duggan (2), substitute Ian Galvin (2) and Ryan Taylor to alleviate any immediate danger.
Having suffered three successive National League defeats to Wexford in Ennis, the Banner were wary of Keith Rossiter’s side but after wrestling for supremacy in the opening quarter, the home side did up the ante with the aid of the wind.
Jack Kirwan had a shot saved by goalkeeper Mark Fanning but Clare would have more success over his crossbar as braces for Duggan and the electric Diarmuid Stritch were bolstered by David Reidy and newcomer Ronan Kilroy to power 0-10 to 0-04 clear by the 25th minute.
Wexford’s chief threats Lee Chin and Simon Roche kept Wexford in touch and even lessened the half-time damage to six with injury-time strikes at 0-15 to 0-09.
However, despite welcoming the chilly gale for the new half and commenting with the first two points, the visitors would soon find themselves eight in arrears once more after Duggan (2), Jack O’Neill and Sean Rynne powered their side 0-19 to 0-11 in front by the 50th minute.
A trio of Lee Chin points allied to a superb Mark Fanning save from home replacement Keith Smyth did give Wexford's supporters a glimmer of hope but it was Roche’s angled goal immediately followed by a brace of points that really sparked the revolt at 0-21 to 1-17.
The experienced Peter Duggan slammed the door of opportunity shut with a pair of long range frees that would be accentuated by two eye-catching points from the left corner for substitute Ian Galvin at 0-26 to 1-17.
Wexford never lowered their heads and did managed to fire the last three points but National League debutante goalkeeper Mark Sheedy would come to his side’s rescue to keep out a Lee Chin attempt in injury-time.
A merited sixth consecutive victory completed a perfect group stage for Brian Lohan’s side ahead of a Division 1B League final in four weeks time.
However, who they play in that decider is now advantage Dublin as they possess a vastly superior score difference over Wexford heading into a must-win final round in a fortnight's time when Wexford host Kildare and Dublin travel to Carlow.
Clare: Mark Sheedy; Ronan Kilroy (0-01), Adam Hogan, Conor Leen; Cathal Malone, John Conlon, Niall O’Farrell; Sean Rynne (0-03), Ryan Taylor (0-01); Jack Kirwan, Diarmuid Stritch (0-03), Jack O’Neill (0-03); David Reidy (0-02), Peter Duggan (0-08, 7f), Shane Meehan (0-02)
Subs: Conor Cleary for Malone (19-20, BS), Cleary for Hogan (HT), Keith Smyth (0-01) for Stritch (HT), Ian Galvin (0-02) for Meehan (55), John Conneally for Conlon (59), David Fitzgerald for Rynne (63)
Wexford: Mark Fanning (0-01f); Darragh Carley, Conor Foley, Simon Donohue; Damien Reck, Richie Lawlor, Eamon Wickham; Conor Hearne (0-01), Diarmuid O’Leary; Darren Codd, Lee Chin (0-11, 8f), Ross Banville; Tomás Kinsella, Simon Roche (1-06), Kevin Foley (0-01)
Subs: Eoin O’Leary for Carley (29-30, BS), James Byrne for Codd (HT), Rory Higgins for Kinsella (HT), Corey Byrne Dunbar for Banville (40), Philip Dempsey for Donohue (45, inj), Sean Rowley for O’Leary (66)
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)
