Faythe Harriers bridged a 23-year gap when fashioning a four point victory over Rapparees in their Wexford senior hurling championship final clash at Wexford Park yesterday.

Young and stylish and playing with great skill, Faythe Harriers always looked the superior outfit. However it was a man of the match performance from wing-back Larry O'Gorman which eventually helped them end the drought.

After the sides had exchanged two points apiece in the opening eight minutes, with the Harriers points courtesy of Darren Caulfield and Gavin Buggy, while Ollie O'Connor had the Rapparees' points from frees, it was the Harriers through the fine finishing of full forward Barry Redmond, who eventually assumed control.

The Harriers points flowed from Buggy, Redmond and Barry Goff to help them lead 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval.

Rapparees missed some easy chances early in the second half, in fact they struck an amazing nine second half wides.

While Ollie O'Connor did manage to reduce the deficit with a pointed free, it was two superb points from Barry Redmond which helped Harriers remain in control.

Two Gavin Buggy frees put the Harriers into a 0-13 to 0-7 lead before substitute Tony Boland pulled a point back but it was the Wexford town side who were comprehensive winners in the end.

FAYTHE HARRIERS: I Scallan; J Giltrap, N Lambert, C Keeling; E Keeling, P Doyle, L O'Gorman; J Harrington, R Mallon; G Buggy (0-4, 0-3 frres, 0-1 65); D Caulfield (0-1), N Sheil (0-1), B Goff (0-3), B Redmond (0-4), M Mackey Subs: J Kearns for Sheil; K Murphy for Caulfield; N Dent on for Mackey.

RAPPAREES: B Ivers; D Ivers, J Holden, L Boland; S Deegan, D Ruth (0-1), J Barron; A Fenlon, T Wall; T Mahon (0-2), G Kavanagh, R Quigley; E Furlong (0-1), R Furlong, O O'Connor (0-4 frees). Subs: T Boland (0-1) for R Quigley; B Kehoe for O'Connor; K Waldron for R Furlong.

Referee: B White (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown).