A late Chris Crummey point makes it a draw for Dublin Senior Hurlers against Wexford

DUBLIN 4-19 

WEXFORD 3-22

Captain Chris Crummey pointed deep into added time as 13-man Dublin and Wexford shared the spoils in Round 4 of the Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon. 

The hosts looked well set for victory as goals from Cian O’Sullivan and John Hetherton handed them the early initiative but a goal from Kevin Foley and the late dismissal of Conor Groarke left Dublin facing an uphill task at half-time as they trailed by 1-13 to 2-8.

Further green flags by Donal Burke (penalty) and Hetherton kept the Dubs in the mix during a manic second-half and Crummey was on hand to keep Dublin’s promotion ambitions alive with a crucial point at the death. 

With so much at stake for both teams, the contest took a while to settle with the only scores of the opening seven minutes coming via a Donal Burke ‘65’ and a Simon Roche free. 

An excellent 8th minute point from Fergal Whitely edged the hosts back in front and the Dubs struck for the game’s opening goal soon after as O’Sullivan pulled clinically past Mark Fanning after Hetherton had deflected a lengthy delivery into his path. 

Roche kept the away scoreboard ticking over with two further frees while Conor Hearne reduced their deficit to two points with their first score from play in the 15th minute. 

However, the hosts continued to hold the upper hand through successive points by Eoghan O’Donnell and Groarke prior to raising another green flag at the start of the second quarter. 

The returning Whitely and O’Donnell were involved down the right flank and while Fanning repelled the latter’s effort, Hetherton was on hand to fire the rebound into the empty net. 

The hosts continued to add to their lead through two Burke frees and Whitely’s second point of the half but the free-taking of Roche kept the tie delicately poised coming towards the end of the half. 

The visitors were handed further encouragement as Foley was allowed to find the net after a lengthy period of advantage from referee Michael Kennedy in the 33rd minute. 

The second booking received by Groarke in injury time only added to Dublin’s woes as Wexford entered the break with a two-point lead following points by Lee Chin and Roche. 

O’Sullivan and Hearne exchanged points in the early stages of the second-half as the visitors looked to avail of their numerical advantage through a brace of Roche scores. 

The momentum swung back in Dublin’s favour in the 43rd minute as Wexford’s Richie Lawlor was black carded for a drag down close to goal and Burke coolly outfoxed Fanning from the resultant penalty.

The Wexford netminder experienced further frustration four minutes later as Conor Burke had followed Lawlor’s lead when entering the ‘sin bin’, but Fanning’s powerful penalty was superbly saved by the sprawling Brennan. 

While Foley regained the lead for the visitors at the end of the third quarter with his second scruffy goal of the night, Dublin refused to accept their perceived fate as they pounced for their fourth goal. 

There appeared to be little danger as Hetherton battled for possession down the endline but he showed great power and perseverance to burst through and leave Fanning helpless at his near post. 

A penalty from Chin looked to have sealed the Wexford victory as Dublin were reduced to thirteen men as Paddy Smyth saw red but the hosts remained in the hunt as Brian Hayes clipped over two points. 

With just a point separating the teams deep into added time, it was left to Crummey to restore parity in dramatic fashion, picking up the pieces after a superb run from deep by substitute Dara Purcell. 

Scorers – Dublin: D Burke 1-9 (1-0pen, 0-7f, 0-1 ’65); J Hetherton 2-0; C O’Sullivan 1-1; F Whitely, B Hayes 0-2 each; J Bellew, E O’Donnell, C Crummey, C Groarke, C Donohoe 0-1 apiece. Wexford: S Roche 0-10 (7f, 1 ’65); K Foley 2-0; C Hearne 0-4; L Chin 1-1 (1-0pen); M Fanning (f), D Carley, D Reck, Darren Codd, R Banville, T Kinsella, R Higgins 0-1 apiece. 

Dublin: S Brennan; J Bellew, P Smyth, E O’Donnell; A Dunphy, C Crummey, C Burke; C Groarke, D Power; F Whitely, B Hayes, D Burke; J Hetherton, R Hayes, C O’Sullivan. Subs:C Donohoe for Power (half-time), D Ó Dúlaing for Whitely (53), D Purcell for R Hayes (62), C Ó Riain for O’Sullivan (69).    

Wexford: M Fanning; D Carley, C Foley, S Donohoe; D Reck, R Lawlor, E Wickham; C Hearne, David Codd; Darren Codd, S Roche, L Chin; R Banville, K Foley, T Kinsella. Subs: R Higgins for Kinsella (44), D O’Leary for Wickham (49), J Byrne for Darren Codd (59), C Byrne for Banville (71). 

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).