Wexford survived a potential banana skin when beating Laois by 2-27 to 2-16 at O’Moore Park.

Davy Fitzgerald said before throw-in that he was dreading this game as he expected the Joe McDonagh Cup holders to throw the kitchen sink at the Leinster champions and the Clare man wasn’t disappointed in this regard as Willie Dunphy’s goal and a series of Ross King frees ensured a very close contest for most of the first half.

Quickfire goals from Conor McDonald and Aidan Nolan had the visitors in command with the short whistle looming but the underdogs were handed a lifeline when Mark Fanning dropped Laois goalkeeper Enda Rowland’s booming delivery over the line on the stroke of half time.

Ahead by 2-10 to 2-8 at the break, Wexford were tested by Eddie Brennan’s men in the early stages of the second half, King bringing it back to a one-point game, but were eventually able to exert their superiority, with eleven different players lofting over points.

Jack O'Connor and the outstanding McDonald shared 1-9 but there were also telling scoring contributions from Paul Morris, Rory O'Connor and Paudie Foley for the winners.

Wexford - M Fanning; S Donohoe, L Ryan, Joe O’Connor; D Reck, S Murphy (0-1), P Foley (0-3f); K Foley (0-2), Jack O’Connor (0-6f); L Og McGovern (0-2), R O’Connor (0-3), A Nolan (1-0); A Rochford, C McDonald (1-3), P Morris (0-4). Subs: C Dunbar (0-3) for A Nolan, H Kehoe for Jack O’Connor, S Reck for S Donohoe, S Casey for R O’Connor, J Cullen for D Reck.

Laois - E Rowland (1-1, 0-1f); L Senior, R Mullaney, D Hartnett; J Kelly (0-1), P Delaney, C McEvoy; F C Fennell, C Comerford; A Bergin (0-1), P Purcell, J Ryan; R King (0-11, 7f), W Dunphy (1-0), S Bergin. Subs: F Flanagan for C Comerford, E Gaughan (0-1) for W Dunphy, J Keyes (0-1) for A Bergin, A Connolly for L Senior, C Stapleton for J Kelly.

Referee - F Horgan.

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