Seán Nolan-inspired Wexford account for game Longford
Wexford addressed tamely slumping out of the Leinster championship by outclassing Longford in the second half of Saturday's Tailteann Cup Group 4 opener at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
Mike Solan's Midlanders had demonstrated rich potential during the opening period, as they recovered from shipping two early goals to edge in front by 1-12 to 2-08 at the change of ends.
But, with classy Seán Nolan delivering in abundance – and soaring through the 300-point mark for his Wexford career so far – the home-side overwhelmed their tenacious rivals by 0-16 to 0-06 after the break to land a valuable brace of points.
In fact, it was Wexford's second success over Longford within the space of seven weeks, after John Hegarty's Model County prevailed on the road 2-18 to 1-10 to complete a perfect seven-match run to promotion from Division 4 of the league.
Wexford had since lost the league decider to Limerick before being outplayed by Laois in the first round of championship, where Longford bowed out to Wicklow after extra-time.
Wexford are away to Carlow next Sunday when Longford host Fermanagh, seeking to build on this promising showing.
Wexford began in dream fashion when Shane Pettitt paved the way for Nolan to ram to the net inside two minutes.
While Longford wing-back Dessie Reynolds posted a two-pointer, the home side dominated the opening stages as they swelled their position to 1-04 to 0-02 after ten minutes through Kevin O'Grady, Pettitt, Tom Byrne and Páraic Hughes.
Dylan Farrell and Matthew Carey (free) offered encouragement for Longford as they pegged it back to 1-04 to 0-04 after fifteen minutes.
Mark Rossiter netted to give Wexford a 2-04 to 0-04 lead on 17 minutes after bursting onto the end of a surge sparked by a long delivery out of defence from Michael Furlong, before Tom Byrne and Seán Nolan exchanged passes to supply the finish.
Two-pointers from Dylan Farrell and Carey (free) bolstered the visitors though as Longford stormed back to edge in front by 1-09 to 2-05 on 25 minutes when Cathal McCabe goaled from close range following neat work by Carey and Reynolds.
Points from Niall Hughes and Pettitt appeared to settle Wexford once again as they turned the tables by 2-07 to 1-09 after 31 minutes.
But Longford continued to demonstrate intent as Jayson Matthew (two) and Farrell swung Longford ahead by 1-12 to 2-07 in added-time.
And Longford were fortunate moments later when a defender denied Wexford midfielder Liam Coleman a certain goal, before Nolan lofted a late free to shave the gap to 1-12 to 2-08 at the break.
Mark Rossiter restored parity for a third time after 39 minutes, shortly before Tom Byrne squandered a gilt-edged goaling chance after being fed by Seán Nolan as Longford 'keeper Micheál Hughes kept out Byrne's point-blank effort.
But referee Brendan Griffin pulled play back for a free from which Seán Nolan got Wexford back on the front foot (2-10 to 1-12).
The Purple and Gold generated another goal chance on 44 minutes when Rossiter and Nolan combined before Kevin O'Grady skied over the crossbar, while 'keeper Darragh Brooks ('45) and defender Eoin Porter helped Wexford pull clear by 2-13 to 1-12.
Longford weren't going away and a two-pointer free courtesy of Dylan Farrell helped them close to 2-14 to 1-16 on 55 minutes, with sub Keelin McGann and defender Patrick Fox also making in-roads.
But back-to-back two-pointers from Niall Hughes and top-shooter Nolan helped Wexford create some daylight at 2-21 to 1-17 inside the last ten minutes.
Wexford netminder Brooks had to be vigilant to prevent Longford number two Fox from netting in the closing stages at the expense of a fruitless '45, as the visitors went down showing plenty of appetite for summer action, but with Wexford just being the better side as they recharged their campaign.
Wexford: Darragh Brooks (0-01, 45); Liam O'Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Michael Furlong; Eoin Porter (0-02), Eoghan Nolan, Martin O'Connor (0-01); Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes (0-05, 2tp); Páraic Hughes (0-01), Shane Pettitt (0-02), Mark Rossiter (1-01); Kevin O'Grady (0-02), Tom Byrne (0-01), Seán Nolan (1-07, 0-4fs, 1tp).
Subs: Robbie Brooks for Byrne (44), Jack Higgins (0-1) for O'Grady (56), Dylan Furlong for O'Connor (59), Ben Brosnan for S. Nolan (67), Seán Barden for Porter (70).
Longford: Micheál Hughes; Oisín O'Toole, Patrick Fox (0-01), Bryan Masterson; Cian Brady. Ryan Moffett, Dessie Reynolds (0-03, 1tp); Daire Duggan, James Moran; Jayson Matthews (0-02), Matthew Carey (0-04, 1tpf), Aaron Farrell (0-01); Dylan Farrell (0-06, 1tp, 1tpf), Cathal McCabe (1-00), Oran Kenny.
Subs: Keelin McGann (0-01) for McCabe (35+1), Iarla O'Sullivan for Brady (47), Caolan Lynch for Kenny (56), Darragh Finlass for Moffett (67).
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