This was not an easily carved out victory for Stellah Sinnott's charges who were made work very hard by the three-in-a-row chasers.

However Wexford never trailed in this game after Jennifer O'Leary had taken the opening point for Cork thanks to a goal after three and a half minutes from the unmarked Una Leacy who struck to the net from 14 metres.

Wexford quickly added to their tally with a Kate Kelly point, as the Shelmalier's player ensured status as the top scorer in the championship with 1-40 to her credit following the game.

Cork were made pay dearly for their seven wides in the opening half as Wexford made more clinical use of possession with Leacy palming home her second goal, midway through the opening half.

O'Leary's opening point along with an Emer Dillon score were the only scores for the Rebels as the game entered the 29th minute but Orla Cotter ensured the gap was cut to five points by the interval, thanks to her late point.

However Wexford still held a comfortable 2-2 to 0-3 advantage.

Cork came out strongly for the second half and obviously had received a half-time grilling with midfielder Gemma O'Connor taking an excellent point after 18 seconds from open play from the 65 metre line.

A 37th minute goal from Emer Dillon cut the gap to two points but Cork were unable to get on top of Sinnott s charges as impressive scores from Kate Kelly, Ursula Jacob and Katrina Parrock ensured Wexford held a four point lead with three minutes remaining.

Una Leacy could have taken a late goal in injury time to complete her hat-trick but she was injured in the process as Cork regained possession and Briege Corkery scored her only point of the game at the opposite end.

Teams and scorers :

WEXFORD: M Darcy; N Lambert, C O Loughlin, A Nolan; A Codd, M Leacy, D Codd; K Kelly (0-3, 1f), C Murphy; B Furlong, RM Breen (0-1), M O Leary; U Leacy (2-0), M Hearne, U Jacob (0-2).

Subs: A O Connor for A Codd (34); K Parrock (0-1) for O Leary (41); C O Connor for Nolan (65).

CORK: A Murray; J O Callaghan, C Foley, A O Regan; R Buckley, M O Connor, A Geary; B Corkery (0-1), G O Connor (0-3); U O Donoghue, A Walsh (0-1), J O Leary (0-1, 1f); E Dillon (1-1), O Cotter (0-1), S Burns.

Subs: E Watson for O Donoghue (52); S O Donovan for Walsh (56)

Referee: John Morrissey (Tipperary)