Really this Leinster senior hurling championship semi-final was so one-sided at Semple Stadium, Thurles, yesterday, that Dublin were flattered to have found themselves six points adrift at the end.

Really as a contest this game was over by the break such was the control held by a rampant Wexford outfit.

Although Dublin had the opening score a second minute point from David Sweeney, once Michael Jordan had Wexford back on level terms one minute later they went on to assume total control.

With Rory McCarthy dominant in midfield picking off three excellent points in the process, they led 0-4 to 0-2 when Larry O’Gorman pounced on a ball broken down by Michael Jordan to find the net after just nineteen minutes.

Now with their sights on victory Wexford refused to allowed Dublin back into the game.

They weathered the few Dublin attacks with ease as Darragh Ryan was dominant at full-back.

Leading 1-10 to 0-5 approaching the break, Wexford well and truly looked in total control ending the game as a spectacle when Larry O’Gorman rounded Stephen Perkins to leave keeper Brendan McLouglin helpless from close range a score which helped the eventual winners to a 2-10 to 0-6 interval lead.

Dublin looked in real trouble and Team Manager Kevin Fennelly must have had a real task to try and lift his charges during the break. Whatever was said it did not have any desired affect for Wexford remained the dominant side as they simply cruised through the remainder of the game.

Whatever thoughts Dublin may have had of bridging the gap disappeared within three minutes of the restart when Wexford corner-forward Barry Lambert crashed homed a fine goal.

Now it was the Qualifiers which faced Dublin as Wexford cruised into a 3-15 to 0-8 lead after 53 minutes. Wexford came out of the blocks in storming fashion in the second period with Dublin simply having no answer to their superior hurling skills and finish.

The only relief for Dublin arrived in the closing sixteen minutes as Wexford took their foot off the throttle. Wexford were content to simply play out time despite Dublin responding with 2-4 in that closing spell, the goals coming through Shane Martin eleven minutes from the end and Kevin Flynn on the stroke of full-time.

"The victory was emphatic but we would have liked a more serious challenge. Really we have still huge improvement to make before the provincial final, but it’s nice to be there. It’s something for us to aim at", said the Wexford Manager, Tony Dempsey.

The only piece of history made from this game was that Tony Dempsey was the first T.D. to have managed an inter-county side in a championship game.

For Dublin it’s back to the drawing board with Manager Kevin Fennelly facing a huge task to lift his side for next Saturday’s opening game.

"We never played to our potential at any stage. Really the game was well gone from us when we responded in the closing fifteen minutes," added Fennelly.

Wexford: D. Fitzhenry, C. Kehoe, D. Ryan, R. Mallon, D. Stamp, D. Ruth, L. Dunne, N. Lambert. R. McCarthy (0-4), L. Murphy, A. Fenlon, P. Codd (0-4, 0-2 frees), B. Lambert (1-2), l. o’Gorman (2-1), M. Jordan (0-4). Subs: B. Goff for Jordan; D. O’Brien folr Lambert; E. Doyle for Ryan; M.J. Furlong for Murphy.

Dublin: B. McLoughlin, P. Brennan, S. Perkins, D. O’Reilly (0-1 free), S. Hiney (0-1), L. Ryan (0-1), K. Ryan, C. Meehan, C. Keaney, D. Sweeney (0-2), D. Spain, S. Martin (1-1), T. McGrane (0-1), K. Flynn (1-2, 0-2 frees), G. Ennis. Subs: D. Donnolly (0-1) for Ennis; T. Moore (0-1) for Meehan; P. Donoghoe (0-1) for McGrane.

Referee: J. McDonnell (Tipperary).