Carlow 2:10
Wexford 3:12,
jaysus, they ran us close!
Setanta:
"Wexford claimed their Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC semi-final spot but they had to withstand a huge second-half challenge from 14-man Carlow before emerging with a 3-12 to 2-10 victory in this Croke Park semi-final.
Carlow, trailing by four points at the interval, hauled themselves right back into the game through a 42nd-minute goal from a Simon Rea penalty. A Rea free had the sides level, 3-7 to 2-10, after 56 minutes, but it was three Mattie Forde points in the closing minutes that sealed the Model County victory.
After the opening 16 minutes one was left with the inescapable fact that this was going to be a runaway victory for Wexford, as they had raced into a 3-2 to 0-4 lead despite playing into the breeze.
Wexford's opening goal arrived as early as the 4th minute when poor defending allowed midfielder through and he easily beat 'keeper John Brennan. Carlow clawed their way back with points from Simon Rea and Brian Carberry, but dreadful defending once again let them down as PJ Banville and Mattie Forde struck for goals after 11 and 16 minutes.
Carlow then hit a decent passage of play with a fine run from Mark Carpenter ending in a 21st minute goal but they still trailed 3-5 to 1-7 at the interval, with their left half back Richard Sinnott been sent off on a double yellow card one minute into additional time.
SCORERS:
Wexford - M Forde 1-6 (2f), D Fogarty 1-1, PJ Banville 1-0, S Cullen, R Barry, D Kinsella, D Breen, P Colfer 0-1.
Carlow - S Rea 1-5 (1-0p, 4f), M Carpenter 1-0, P Hickey 0-3f, T Walsh, B Carberry 0-1.
BOOKED: P Wallace, D Fogarty, P Curtis (Wexford), P Walsh, R Sinnott 2 (Carlow).
SENT OFF: R Sinnott (Carlow)."
