WEXFORD put the disappointment of league relegation behind them when they handed out a comprehensive nine-point defeat to Louth in their O'Byrne Cup Senior football semi-final at Wexford Park. A feature of the game was the attacking skill of the home side who over-ran the visitor's defence with some sparkling approach play.

With the sides level at 0-2 each, it was centre forward John Harrington, who got the opening goal in the ninth minute - the nearest Louth came to breaking down the home defence was when a Stefan White shot struck the bar 11 minutes later. The home side had an interval lead of 1-6 to 0-6.

Louth resumed with more urgency and when a David Reilly goal within six minutes of the restart left just a point between the sides, 1-8 to 1-7, they looked like taking control.

However, it was Wexford who dominated the final quarter, with goals from Paddy Brady in the 20th minute - following a dreadful goalkeeping error - and John Roche two minutes later.