There was disappointment for the Cork minor hurlers at Semple Stadium as their All-Ireland campaign ended with a wallop from Wexford.
The Model County played into a strong wind in the first half but armed with near-perfect shooting, constructed a six-point lead.
That cushion was never closed as Seán O’Brien racked up 1-9. Cork trailed by 12 until Joe Twohig’s consolation goal with the final puck.
“When you’re playing with a wind like that, we were hoping to be the ones going in five or six ahead,” said selector Seánie McGrath, “but to be chasing a lead like that against the wind… They tried valiantly but Wexford had that bit more guile.
“They were winning breaking balls, they were strong in the half-forward line, (Darren) Rossiter was a handful, and then Seán O’Brien inside was really good.”
On a day when both third and fourth-placed Munster teams were soundly beaten by their Leinster counterparts, Wexford advanced to next weekend's All-Ireland quarter-finals alongside Galway to join Clare and Dublin.
Cork’s players will go back to their clubs and come again next year.
“It's a development thing,” McGrath added. “For the last three years, we couldn’t have asked any more. They’ve been absolutely brilliant.
“It’s just very disappointing for the lads to go out with such a heavy defeat.
“The goal was late, beaten by nine points, so very disappointed for the young fellas themselves. But they just have to reassess, regroup, and go to the under-20 grade next year and give it a rattle.
“Some of them hopefully will make the 20s panel next year but they’ll know after this year how challenging and difficult it can be.”
John Meyler gave first appearances to four players in goalkeeper Adam Lee (Carrigtwohill), full-back Donagh Fleming, full-forward Eoghan O’Shea, and half-time sub Colm Garde.
Cork played with the wind and they manufactured an early two-point lead with scores from Adam Lee (Cloyne), Oisín O’Connell, and a Mark O’Brien free.
But Wexford gained supremacy around the middle and were efficient with their shooting. Their attack revolved around Seán O’Brien as he struck two points and set up Colin Carley for another to lead.
Mark O’Brien levelled with a free but Wexford got their goal in the 21st minute. Rossiter broke Cathal Sinnott’s delivery down for Seán O’Brien and he took a big hit before offloading for Adam O’Connell Byrne. Lee got his hurley to it but the shot had enough power to roll over the line. 1-4 to 0-4.
After a Mark O’Brien response, Wexford reeled off the next four, including three from Seán O’Brien and one from Carley.
Michael Brosnan and Seán O’Brien traded points to leave it 1-9 to 0-6 at half-time. A model of accurate shooting from Wexford into the wind with a 91% conversion rate from 11 shots.
They carried that momentum and the breeze into the second half with two Seán O’Brien frees and an O’Connell Byrne point. Cork hit back with three of their own, made up of two from play by Mark O’Brien and one from substitute Leo Hennessy.
There was great defending at either end by Sinnott and Cork captain Liam Kelleher (twice) to prevent goal chances.
The opportunities kept coming for Cork. Paddy Quigley saved a close-range Mark O’Brien free. Peter Barrett flashed a shot wide. Ian Reilly courageously blocked a Brosnan effort with his head.
Wexford almost had one but for an incredible Lee save to redirect Rhys Wickham’s first-touch flick over the bar.
But when Wickham turned over the sliotar and sent Seán O’Brien into space in the first minute of stoppage time, there was no stopping his rocket to the net.
Cork got their consolation with the final play. Hennessy did the hard running and Barrett’s shot was deflected onto the crossbar by Eoin Hughes but Twohig followed in to finish.
Scorers for Wexford: S O’Brien (1-9, 0-5 frees); A O’Connell Byrne (1-2); C Carley (0-3), J Nolan, R Wickham (0-1 each).
Scorers for Cork: M O’Brien (0-6, 4 frees); J Twohig (1-0); O O’Connell, M Brosnan, A Lee (Cloyne), L Hennessy (0-1 each).
WEXFORD: P Quigley (Bannow-Ballymitty); B Harpur (Oulart-The Ballagh), E Hughes (Ballynestragh Gaels), I Reilly (Rathnure-St Anne’s); O Moore (Oulart-The Ballagh), R Donohoe (Rapparees), C Sinnott (Glynn-Barntown); J Nolan (Oylegate-Glenbrien), K O’Mahony (St Martin’s); C Fleming (Liam Mellows), J Dunne (Oulart-The Ballagh, capt), C Carley (Glynn-Barntown); D Rossiter (Gusserane O’Rahillys), A O’Connell Byrne (Askamore), S O’Brien (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).
Subs: J Kennedy (Naomh Éanna) for Rossiter (36, inj), S Hyland (Rapparees) for O’Connell Byrne (48), P Keavey (Ballygarrett) for Moore (52), R Wickham (Oulart-The Ballagh) for Fanning (57), P Wickham (Oulart-The Ballagh) for Carley (60+1).
CORK: A Lee (Carrigtwohill); CD O’Connor (Millstreet), D Fleming (Mallow), L Kelleher (Douglas, capt); K Beechinor (Éire Óg), C Noonan (Kanturk), J Murphy (Mallow); O O’Connell (Carrigaline), J Hegarty (Ballinora); M Brosnan (Glen Rovers), M O’Brien (Douglas), L Murphy (Barryroe); A Lee (Cloyne), E O’Shea (Ballinhassig), J O’Brien (Douglas).
Subs: C Garde (Lisgoold) for Hegarty (h-t), D Cosgrave (Courcey Rovers) for O’Shea (h-t), L Hennessy (Ballymartle) for L Murphy (40), P Barrett (Midleton) for Lee (Cloyne) (43), J Twohig (Valley Rovers) for Brosnan (56).
Referee: N Malone (Clare).
