First-half goals from Cian O'Sullivan and David Purcell powered Dublin to a pivotal third-round victory over Wexford in Saturday’s Leinster SHC showdown at sunny Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Dublin were denied a couple of further first-half majors, but still built a tidy 2-13 to 0-10 interval advantage to help them on their way as they enhanced their qualification hopes.
Wexford, who were seeking a first championship success over the Dubs since 2018, are now left teetering on the brink of missing out on the knockout stages for the second year running. They have Offaly (away) and Galway (home) remaining.
Dublin lock horns away to Galway next weekend before facing Kilkenny in the closing round.
With the experienced Liam Rushe at the heart of the Dublin defence – the Na Fianna man’s first start in over four years – the Sky Blues set the standard after the sides shared the first four points.
Donal Burke (free) and O’Sullivan sandwiched Wexford overs from free-taker Lee Chin and Conor Hearne, while O’Sullivan also forced a point-blank save from Mark Fanning after a long delivery from midfielder Conor Donohoe in the fifth minute.
But Dublin’s growing authority was reflected in the visitors bursting clear by 1-06 to 0-02 after 16 minutes – Burke (three) and John Hetherton adding points, while David Purcell snapped onto a short puck-out to charge in from the left wing to rattle the net in the 12th minute.
Wexford eventually ended their 12-minute scoring impasse with a brace of quick-fire Chin points (one free) in the 18th minute.
Burke twice responded in kind to restore a seven-point margin, but Wexford sounded loud appeals for a penalty after Kevin Foley was hauled down in the danger-zone after gathering a punt from Ross Banville.
A super goal from Cian O'Sullivan extends Dublin's lead in Wexford
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Foley had to settle for a point in that effort, but he made the referee aware of his dissatisfaction.
Dublin almost caught Wexford at the other end moments later, David Purcell sending Fergal Whitely through from the left end-line only to be thwarted by the Wexford netminder at the expense of a 65.
The sides shared the next four points, before Dublin’s potency yielded a second goal – O’Sullivan magnificently controlling Conor Burke’s long delivery on the front edge of the square before flicking home on 32 minutes to leave them 2-12 to 0-07 ahead.
Wexford managed to muster three of the remaining four scores of the half – two Chin frees and a Ross Banville addition – but they were seeking a considerable remedy for their fading promotion hopes as they trailed 2-13 to 0-10 at the changeover.
And while Chin sought to jolt Wexford into gear before an attendance of 7,816 with three pointed frees inside the first four minutes of the second half, Dublin went dangerously close to a third goal.
Hetherton whacked a cross by Brian Hayes towards the net only for Wexford defender Darragh Carley to clear off the goal-line.
"Just hectic!" - Liam Rushe is back in the swing of things for Dublin. He offered his thoughts on their win at a windy Chadwicks Wexford Park. #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/qhEEfCKWZ3
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 9, 2026
Burke stroked over three placed balls without reply to regain a nine-point divide after 45 minutes, 2-16 to 0-13.
Although the introduction of captain Jack O’Connor led to Wexford causing some anxious moments in front of the opposition goal, Dublin remained a step ahead as they head West next weekend for a mouth-watering tussle with Galway.
Dublin: Eddie Gibbons; Eoghan O’Donnell, Paddy Smyth, Paddy Doyle; Chris Crummey, Liam Rushe, Conor Burke; Brian Hayes (0-02), Conor Donohoe; Fergal Whitely, Darragh Power, Donal Burke (0-15, 0-07fs, 0-0265s); David Purcell (1-00), John Hetherton (0-01), Cian O’Sullivan (1-03).
Subs: Conor McHugh for O’Donnell (38), Conal O’Riain for Power (49), Ronan Hayes for Purcell (60), Conor Groarke for Hetherton (72), Ollie Gafney for Whitely (70+5).
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Darragh Carley, Liam Ryan, Conor Foley; Simon Donohoe (0-02), Richie Lawlor, Damien Reck; Diarmuid O’Leary, Conor Hearne (0-01); Ross Banville (0-02), Lee Chin (0-14, 0-13fs), Darren Codd (0-01); Cillian Byrne, Simon Roche, Kevin Foley (0-01).
Subs: James Byrne for Codd (47), Jack O’Connor (0-01) for C. Byrne (57), Eamon Wickham for Donohoe (63).
Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).
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