AN EXPERIMENTAL Wexford team went under to a one-point defeat to a battling N.U.I.G. outfit despite a late attacking flourish in this lack-lustre Walsh Cup Senior hurling first round game played at Bellefield on Saturday last.

Wexford came close to getting off to a winning start but, despite an impressive opening 25 minutes, they allowed the initiative to slip approaching the break, as N.U.I.G. brought themselves back into contention before going on to control most of the second period.

As for Wexford, for some strange reason they were unable to build on that good start, after which they led by 0-8 to 0-2, a lead that could have been even greater but for some wayward and persistent longrange shooting when a quick delivery into the inside forwards might have brought greater dividends.

But it must be remembered that this was a Wexford side with a clear emphasis on the provincial Intermediate championship, as Faythe Harriers clubman, Jim Berry, was the only regular from last year's team to appear. They came up against a colleges side which had a far greater deal of preparation and looked fitter and sharper, while their hurling was also superior, given that the home side had only returned to competitive training a few weeks earlier.

It was a strange type of game and one that was difficult to take real positives from, but still Liam Dunne and his backroom team, who took on the role of observers, will not be too disappointed, as there was still enough to suggest that some of the players will push for inclusion in the league squad.

One could find little fault with the defence, with the full-back line of Bobby Kenny, team captain Brendan Travers, who had an impressive outing at full-back, and Barry Kehoe, ensuring that 'keeper Eanna Martin had little to do during the course of the 70 minutes.

Under-21 players Willie Devereux and John Leacy put in a lot of quality hurling as did James Tonks, while both midfielders, Lee Chin and Diarmuid O'keeffe, more than held their own but would have benefited from supplying the inside forwards rather than attempting long-range points, which were completely off course.

Putting it all together, the one disappointing aspect was the attack, apart from Tomás O'leary, failed to impress as a unit. Their lack of game time together was pretty obvious as they failed to create a single goal opportunity during the entire game.

N.U.I.G. took the lead inside 30 seconds of the start when Niall Burke lofted over a point from midfield. But in the following 20 minutes Wexford responded with seven unanswered points through Ian Byrne (two, one free), John Leacy (two frees, one '65), Tomás O'leary and Jim Berry to lead by 0-7 to 0-1.

The visitors had their second score after t22 minutes through a Niall Burke pointed free. Wexford responded with points from Ian Byrne (free) and Jim Berry, while Daithí Burke had a point in between to leave the home side leading by 0-9 to 0-3 five minutes before the break.

When it looked as if Wexford were about to give themselves a real cushion to take into the break, it was N.U.I.G. who finished the half strongest. Four minutes before the break Dean Higgins got his hurley to a Daithí Burke cross to beat 'keeper Eanna Martin from close range. They went on to add further points through Niall Burke (free) and John Paul O'connell, leaving the minimum separating the sides at the interval (0-9 to 1-5).

Within 30 seconds of the re-start, Daniel Martin-carroll pointed for the home side, but that was to prove their last score for some 25 minutes as N.U.I.G. suddenly sprang to life, taking the initiative back from the home side as they went about the task in hand, playing the superior hurling through this second period.

With points from Niall Burke, Cormac Diviney, Eoin Hayes and Daithí Burke, they had swept into a 1-10 to 0-10 lead by the 56th minute.

Three minutes later Wexford eventually broke their barren spell with a fine Lee Chin point out of midfield, while substitute Gary Moore pointed a free to leave the minimum separating the sides (1-10 to 0-12) with nine minutes remaining.

Wexford, despite winning their share of outfield possession, were unable to show any worthwhile creativity in attack, leaving a Niall Burke pointed free to extend the visitors into a two-point lead. Four minutes from the end it was substitute Michael O'hanlon who brought Wexford back within a point, but despite having sufficient opportunities, they were unable to fashion an equalising score that would have brought the game to extra-time.

- BRENDAN FURLONG