Allianz HL 1B: Down fall just short against Wexford

Simon Roche scored eight points for Wexford in their Allianz Hurling League Division 1B victory over Down. 
Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

WEXFORD 0-27 DOWN 0-25

Wexford survived a second-half comeback from Down by the skin of their teeth in what was a terrific Allianz Hurling League Division 1B clash at McKenna Park, Ballycran today.

Down looked like they might pull off a famous victory when they drew level at 25 points apiece after 66 minutes having trailed by eight at half-time.

It seemed as though all the momentum was with the Mourne Men at that stage, but when Wexford’s need was greatest up stepped Conor Hearne and Simon Roche to hit two late points that sealed the win.

It must have been tough to take for a Down team that has made great strides in recent years and would have gotten a huge boost from taking a scalp like Wexford’s.

After an even enough start to the match Wexford took control of the contest in the first half to outscore Down by 10 points in a 14-minute spell that saw them surge 0-17 to 0-7 ahead.

But it was all Down for most of the second-half as players like Donal Hughes, Pearse Óg McCrickard, Liam Savage, Paul Sheehan, Daithi and Eoghan Sands asked serious questions of the Wexford defence.

Points from Sheehan, Savage, and Daithi Sands drew Down level on 25 points apiece, but when the game was there to be won it was Wexford who found the finishing burst.