Wexford top tough group
THE All-Ireland Class 2 qualifiers were held in the University of Limerick recently as Wexford sought to regain a title they last won in 2007.
Standing between Wexford and a final place were Meath, Kerry and Sligo, with two to qualify for the March 28 semi-final. Wexford's opening encounter was against Leinster rivals Meath, and the Model county hit the courts running while Meath appeared to take longer to adapt to the difficult surroundings. An 8-1 victory for Wexford set them well on their way to qualification. Meanwhile, Kerry defeated Sligo 6-3 in the other group game.
Wexford next faced Sligo while Kerry took on Meath, and the group was split wide open when Kerry slumped to a surprising 7-2 loss to the Royals while Sligo also surprised Wexford to record a 5-4 victory.
Going in to the last series of games, Wexford still led the qualifying group on 12 points with all the other teams - Kerry, Meath and Sligo - level on eight points.
Wexford slumped to their second defeat when they were beaten 5-4 by Kerry in their final game, but still topped the group on 16 points. Sligo secured the runner-up spot with a 63 success over an unpredictable Meath.
As group winners, Wexford now meet old rivals Cork in the All-Ireland semi-finals on March 28, while last year's Division 3 champions, Sligo, take on Tipperary.
Wexford: Aisling Chapman, Sandra Dunne, Clodagh Kent, Mairéad McDaid, Brideen Lynch, Tara Kehoe, Tomás Power, Vincent Mackay, Jimmy Sinnott, Frankie Morrissey, Seán Sexton, Christopher McMackin. Management team: Olive Waters, Frankie Morrissey, Pat Redican.
