With commemorative jerseys on their backs, the Wexford footballers invoked the spirit of the county’s 1915-1918 All-Ireland heroes, but it wasn’t enough to down a spirited Laois side in Innovate Wexford Park.
And Laois deserve huge credit for that. Trailing by ten points at the break, they looked for all the world a beaten docket at that stage, but if these men have nothing they’ve patience and that in spades. The away side kept their heads down in the face of a partisan home crowd and battled their way back into this game.
After 76 minutes, they had levelled it up and to the delight of any neutrals, this thrilling game would be decided in extra time. That was when Laois stamped their class and authority all over it to take it comfortably, but the final scoreline of 2-21 to 1-18 only tells half of the story.
Wearing the jerseys of their four-in-a-row heroes, these are more difficult times down in the sunny-south-east, lagging in Division Four and without a Leinster final appearance since 2011, but Saturday evening suggested that a revival of sorts is on the cards.
Wexford went into their clash with Laois in their own back yard as 3-1 underdogs, but it quickly became apparent that they didn’t take kindly to being so readily written off. It is often said that anger, that injustice can be the greatest fuel for success – well Paul McLoughlin’s men did that theory no harm here.
The Yellow Bellies’ got off to a belter of a start in front of a home Wexford Park crowd. It was all one way traffic with the irrepressible purple and gold outfit reeling off eight points without a Laois reply in the first 23 minutes of the game.
Big Daithí Waters set the tone right from the throw-in, the powerful midfielder claiming the referee’s toss before haring down the field and kicking the first point of the 2018 Leinster SFC.
Corner forward Donal Shanley was punishing every bit of Laois indiscipline with his accuracy from placed balls while the rangy Glen Malone was making inroads from half back.
Laois meanwhile, due to a combination of wayward shooting and an effective wind, were blown out of the water by Wexford and it took them 23 minutes to register their first score of the game, that coming from a Gary Walsh free.
That didn’t stem the tide for long, however, with centre back Naomhan Rossiter abandoning his defensive duties to rattle the net at the other end.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL Centre back Naomhan Rossiter kicks a superb team goal Wexford move 1-8 to 0-2 in front 27 minutes on the clock @gaaleinster @InnovateCloud
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) May 12, 2018
They would go into the half time break with a ten point, 1-10 to 0-3 lead, however it wasn’t as one-sided as the scoreline suggested, with the O’Moore county kicking a number of wides from promising positions.
Not everyone was ruling Laois out, however…
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/995370180325888000
With the wind at their backs, John Sugrue’s men were quick to eat into this lead upon the resumption of play. With Donie Kingston and Ross Munnelly coming into their own, they eroded the lead from ten points to six and down to two with ten minutes left.
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/995374128344584192
And when they were awarded a penalty with the clock ticking, the ice-man that is Kingston stepped up to slot it home and to send this one down to the wire with the scores tied and with six minutes of injury time to play.
But there was more drama to come in this end-to-end advertisement for football, Brian Malone was fouled in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot, from where Donal Shanely would take his point to put Wexford one up with two minutes of added time remaining.
A goal at this stage would have sent put Laois away, and Wexford were eventually made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness.
When you get chances like these, you have to go for the jugular, and plenty were questioning Wexford’s decision.
Laois should drive on now! Wexford should have gone for goal from the penalty
— A Little Bit Of Cork (@slippery_dodger) May 12, 2018
With the scores eventually tied at 1-15 apiece, two ten minute periods of extra time were required to settle it.
That was when Laois asserted their class on the game, with an early Kieran Lillis goal sending them on their way. Donie Kingston kept up his explosive form and when his brother Paul joined in on the fun late on, Wexford were dead and buried.
2-21 to 1-18 it finished.
Edge of the seat stuff in Wexford Park but congratulations to our Senior Footballers on a fantastic comeback. Gareth Dillon’s last gasp effort saved the day, along with Donie Kingston’s 5 Star shooting. Thanks to our fantastic supporters who turned up in large numbers today. pic.twitter.com/amdtzdplqc
— Laois GAA (@CLGLaois) May 12, 2018
What a game it was.
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/995381245512245248
