WEX LYRICAL

Model take the plaudits as Laois, Carlow & Down also progress

- KEVAN EGAN

IT was a day of upsets and near-upsets in the Tailteann Cup yesterday, as both Wexford and Laois went on the road to pick up big wins.

Elsewhere, Longford and New York led at half-time, but were unable to see out the deal in Newry and Carlow respectively.

The manner of Wexford's 1-22 to 2-14 win over Offaly in Tullamore means that they will be a team that everyone will want to avoid in tomorrow's draw.

Offaly started brightly with a goal from an Anton Sullivan penalty, but were completely over-run by Wexford in the middle third of the pitch, and looked woefully bereft of energy relative to their opponents.

Eoghan Nolan, Brian Molloy and Mark Rossiter kicked a number of excellent scores into the breeze in the first half for Wexford, while Offaly goalkeeper Ian Duffy also had to make several excellent saves.