He was on his own 45.
Rory O’Connor has been ripping it up in the underage and schools ranks for years, the young man from the famous O’Connor clan of the St. Martin’s club has been tipped for big things for quite a while now.
Last year, he impressed in his championship debut against Waterford, and this year he became a leader of Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford in their League campaign.
On Sunday in Wexford Park, the DCU student came of age, scoring 1-10 and pushing his side over the line in their all important Leinster Championship clash with a revitalised Dublin side.
The teams traded blows early on with a goal from Rian McBride settling Dublin into the game. Wexford would never go away, however, with that man O’Connor lethal from placed balls and from open play while fellow youngster Damien Reck bossed it in defence and Bunclody’s Aidan Nolan made his presence felt up top.
Both teams will line out as selected, still warming up as we await throw-in. pic.twitter.com/h6o8k3moNG
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) May 20, 2018
Dublin, however, motivated by the pain of last weekend’s crushing loss to Kilkenny were hungry for this one and despite missing the influence of their talisman Conal Keaney – Rian McBride, Sutcliffe and Chris Crummey again stepped up to the plate.
Wexford went into the half-time break with a one point, 0-10 to 1-6 lead.
Backed by the raucous home crowd, the yellow bellies kicked on upon the resumption of play with Jack O’Connor and Paudie Foley pointing the way.
If they have anything these Dublin lads have fight and spirit aplenty and they just wouldn’t take a step back from Wexford, though. Indeed, when Paul Ryan goalled late on in the second half, you did feel that they might just kick on to win it.
Pat Gilroy’s men went into injury time with a one point lead but that was when Rory O’Connor took centre stage, that was when Davy Fitzgerald’s men showed bottle a plenty to kick on and win it by two.
|Rory O'Connor from 90 metres, A POINT! 0-21 to 2-14.
— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) May 20, 2018
And all the talk was about that man O’Connor as Wexford march on.
Jaysus mammoth point from Rory O'Connor from inside his own half and a Harry Kehoe pt in injury time sees Dublin beaten by 2 pts
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) May 20, 2018
Wexford win by 2. Finally showing that killer instinct that has been missing for so many years. That game could have gone the way of so many others but Rory O'Connor has shown the mettle needed to take that next step. Brilliant. Hup #Wexford #Hurling #GAA
— Aidan Delaney (@aidand472) May 20, 2018
For Dublin, for the second week in a row, that must be gut-wrenching.
