LEADING SCORER Ben Brosnan had the last word in Páirc Uí Síocháin, Gorey, on Sunday last when his fisted goal 35 seconds into added time copper-fastened Wexford's victory over Westmeath in the O'Byrne Shield semi-final. The home side had survived a sticky phase and had regained their composure with a fine Andreas Doyle point when Adrian Flynn's delivery towards the far post was finished expertly by the Bannow-Ballymitty sharpshooter as goalkeeper Stephen Gallagher advanced.

He followed up with a late shot which caused confusion as one umpire waved the white flag while the other signalled for a wide, with the referee confirming afterwards that he agreed with the latter's view.

Wexford's first visit to the north county venue for a competitive game since 2003 produced a mixed bag in terms of performance. While they strung together some neat moves and were generally well on top before the break, Westmeath dominated midway through the second-half and narrowed the gap to two points.

Indeed, if the midlanders weren't so rudderless in attack, they could have taken the lead as they certainly had enough chances to do so. However, a combination of seven wides and generally aimless kicking in the last third ensured that Wexford weathered the storm.

And while it's nothing to boast about, the fact of the matter is that already they have won more games than in 2009 when the tally stood at a meagre one. The prize is a final clash with Carlow on February 28, and this will help to bridge the gap between the second and third rounds of the National League which starts with a trip to Drogheda on Sunday next.

Wexford were full value for their interval lead of 0-8 to 0-3, with the points shared by Ben Brosnan with five, two from play, and three from Paddy Byrne who was much sharper on this occasion.

Indeed, they were unlucky not to be further ahead as Byrne's seventh-minute effort on goal was tipped onto the crossbar by netminder Gallagher and went over, while Ben Brosnan's injury-time '45 was converted after a Redmond Barry shot was well saved.

Unfortunately, David Walsh and Adrian Morrissey picked up knocks approaching half-time which led to their withdrawals, with the latter's shoulder injury the more obvious cause for concern.

Denis Glennon was introduced at half-time for the visitors and immediately presented their main threat, although he was generally well contained as Joey Wadding did well again in defence.

Substitute Pat Naughter replied with his first touch from a Paddy Byrne cross, and a Ben Brosnan free left Wexford ahead by 0-10 to 0-4 by the 42nd minute.

However, wind-aided Westmeath then gained a stranglehold and proceeded to hit four points without reply despite labouring with their finishing, as Denis Glennon, Paul Greville (free), Glennon (free) and Stephen Bracken increased the pressure on the leaders (0-10 to 0-8).

The introduction of the experienced Eric Bradley and Colm Morris at the start of the last quarter helped to steady the ship, while Westmeath were left to rue four wides in nine minutes when they were still in with a clear shout of victory.

It may have taken all of 26 minutes to arrive, but Wexford's next score was worth the wait as Daithí Waters lobbed a ball into the left corner where wing-back Andreas Doyle arrived at pace and kicked a beauty on the run over the bar at the country end.

Ben Brosnan had the ball in the net shortly afterwards, but the whistle had blown beforehand for a throw by Adrian Flynn as they played a one-two.

Flynn followed up with Wexford's fourth second-half wide (nine in all) before playing a big part in that clinching goal.

While his intention mightn't necessarily have been to pick out Brosnan when he launched a high kick from the right wing, the Bannow-Ballymitty attacker timed his jump to perfection and left the ball nestling in the net.

The first real test arrives against Louth on Sunday, and it won't be easy against a team who have placed a lot of emphasis on the O'Byrne Cup in recent times.

Winners of the title last season, they ensured a repeat meeting in the final with D.C.U. when they travelled to Newbridge and recorded an impressive win over Kildare.

- In Páirc Uí Síocháin, Gorey