Hurling qualifiers: Jimmy Barry-Murphy happy to stay in race after Cork sweep aside Wexford
4 July 2015; Conor Lehane, Cork, in action against Lee Chin, Wexford. GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, Round 1, Wexford v Cork. Innovate Wexford Park, Wexford. Picture credit: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE
A DOMINANT opening half paved the way for Cork's 2-22 to 0-20 victory over Wexford in Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier at Wexford Park.
The Rebels led 2-17 to 0-9 lead at the break and had to withstand a very spirited revival by the wind-assisted Slaneysiders in the second period.
"Wexford Park is always a tough venue to go to. Everybody was saying it was going to be a 'banana skin' for us but I thought the lads approached the game very well," said Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy afterwards.
"I thought we were very, very good in the first half and it was a good reaction to the defeat by Waterford.
"Our second-half performance was a bit stop-go but we still got some good scores at the end which were needed. You also have to take into account the strong breeze that was out there.
"I said publicly during the week that the lads trained very well since the Waterford defeat and they came out with real intent. Overall, we won't be getting too carried away. We're in the hat for the next round and that's the main thing."
Banner roar on
DAVY FITZGERALD'S Clare recorded their first All-Ireland SHC victory in 21 months with a commanding 20-point victory (3-26 to 0-15) over Offaly in the first round of the qualifiers at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday.
Offaly were left to reflect on another poor championship run that has now seen them only claim two victories in their last 13 games since the backend of 2010.
Clare settled first and quickly moved into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead as early as the eighth minute following Conor McGrath's clinical goal.
By the break the Banner County were 1-13 to 0-9 clear but in reality it should have been even more convincing.
On the restart John Conlon powered through for Clare's second goal and seven minutes later Tony Kelly brilliantly set up Shane O'Donnell for their third goal to end any Offaly hopes.
Colm Galvin, just back from an extended stay in America, was introduced with seven minutes remaining to a huge ovation from the home support.
Limerick flattered by scoreline
LIMERICK were somewhat flattered by the 12-point winning margin, 4-15 to 1-12, over Westmeath in their SHC qualifier in Cusack Park, Mullingar.
Goals from Kevin Downes, Shane Dowling, Paul Browne and substitute Adrian Breen were the key scores for the Shannonsiders.