Offaly shade Wexford to advance in Tailteann Cup

Veteran attacker Niall McNamee returned from injury to net the decisive 54th minute blow as Offaly edged past Wexford in Sunday's exciting Tailteann Cup preliminary round clash in Enniscorthy.

Wexford were left to curse two goal misses before half-time as McNamee played a neat one-two with Cian Donohoe before sinking the clincher as Offaly avenged last month’s Leinster championship exit to the same opposition.

McNamee and his cousin, Ruairí McNamee, had missed that clash through injury. But both were back prominent here as John Maughan made eight personnel changes – double the amount Wexford did.

While Wexford lost out, their response to their 23 point provincial mauling by Dublin was immense, but they just fell shy as Offaly now host Wicklow in a first-round proper clash next weekend.

While Wexford twice led early on through Ben Brosnan (one free), Anton Sullivan carried much of the fight for Offaly who were boosted by an eleventh minute goal from Diarmuid Egan, whose rebound went in off the underside of the crossbar after midfielder Bill Carroll had forced an initial save (1-01 to 0-02).

But, indicative of the open nature of the tie, Wexford tied on 1-2 apiece after 16 minutes when defender Dylan Furlong angled a bullet finish from the left after strong play by Alan Tobin, Kevin O'Grady and Michael Furlong.

Anton Sullivan and centre-back Johnny Moloney nudged Offaly back two points clear before the gap was again bridged after 31 minutes, through Glen Malone and Eoin Porter (1-04 each).

While Offaly once again reasserted by 1-07 to 1-05 at half-time, Wexford were unfortunate with a couple of late goaling bids – Brosnan forcing a save, while Glen Malone had his shot cleared off the 'line by Lee Pearson.

The sides traded points