Victory over Longford not enough for Wexford in promotion race

Wexford posted a fourth emphatic victory on the trot, but promotion eluded them in the Allianz Football League Division 4 following Sunday's high-stakes duel with Longford at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Indeed, with Longford only requiring a fifth win on the bounce to clinch an immediate return back to the third division, the lack of bite Paddy Christie’s men brought was hugely surprising.

The midlanders did recover early on to draw on 1-02 to 0-05 through an eighteenth minute Daniel Mimnagh goal.

But Wexford asserted by 2-10 to 1-03 by half-time, aided by a smart 30th minute goal from defender Glen Malone, and pretty much lorded matters.

In fact, Wexford might have emerged with a considerable goals tally but for some poor finishing, with Conor Kinsella, Malone and Richie Waters among several near misses for the home-side.

And despite extending their winning run, Wexford ultimately miss out an escape from the basement division for the first time since 2017 after Leitrim accounted for Tipperary.

Regardless, John Hegarty’s charges are bouncing positively into their home Leinster championship first round derby against Carlow on 7 April, with Longford hosting Meath that same afternoon.

It took a mere 34 seconds for Wexford wing-back Glen Malone to draw first-blood with a point from the right wing.

And the hosts were gifted a goaling chance in the fifth minute after the Longford goal was left gaping by their adventurous 'keeper.

Custodian Micheál Hughes had drifted out some 50 yards off his line on the left wing when his attempted cross-field pass was intercepted by Conor Kinsella – but his lobbed effort drifted wide.

Nevertheless, Wexford appeared to be establishing control when easing 0-04 to no-score clear inside thirteen minutes as