THE NEW-LOOK Wexford Senior hurlers comfortably passed their first test in a bitterly cold Páirc Uí Síocháin, Gorey, on Sunday last when they led from pillar to post against a decidedly average U.C.D. team to advance with ease to the Walsh Cup semi-final.

Curious supporters would have preferred a more searching examination of the home team's credentials, but for the moment any judgements will have to be reserved as this was a far more one-sided contest than the final scoreline suggests.

The students clearly had one eye on the forthcoming Fitzgibbon Cup and rested several key players as a result, and their goal - the last score of the game - arrived after Wexford were reduced to 14 men.

Darren Stamp had collected a second yellow with 15 minutes left when his colleagues were cruising, but what little pressure was mounted afterwards was absorbed with comfort on a day when five men made their Wexford Senior debuts.

Four of them were in defence, with Darren Kehoe donning the number two shirt which his uncle, Colm, filled with distinction in the past. Barry Kenny was given a run at full-back, while Greg Jacob and Paul Nolan were included in the half-back line, with Keith Rossiter and Darren Stamp providing a much-needed dash of experience.

While the backs were rarely troubled, the most impressive debutant was at the other end of the field where Darren Nolan helped himself to four points from play and linked up well with team captain Diarmuid Lyng and Willie Doran in particular.

Lyng, who started at full-forward, did his best work when given licence to roam outfield, while many of the scores were created by the hard work of Doran on the '40.

Wexford's Peter Atkinson was one of the best performers for U.C.D., and they also featured Shane Rackard (Duffry Rovers), James Foley (Buffers Alley) and substitute Seán Murphy (Ferns St. Aidan's). Shane Tomkins (Askamore) was listed on their panel but Ciarán Lyng was unavailable to aid an attack which lacked punch despite the best efforts of Liam Rushe.

Wexford cruised into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead after 12 minutes when backed by the wind and never looked back, with Diarmuid Lyng winning a throw-in close to goal early on and handpassing to Stephen Banville for an easy goal.

The second midway through the half was a gift, as a Lyng line ball posed problems for netminder Jamie Ryan and Jim Berry forced the sliothar to the net (2-6 to 0-2).

While the free-taking of Peter Atkinson added to the visitors' tally, the best they could do before the break was to get within seven points by the 31st minute.

There was precious little on the field to warm the cockles of shivering supporters, but that was hardly the fault of Wexford who maintained a clear gap without having to over-exert themselves.

Seven of the nine first-half points came from Diarmuid Lyng placed balls, with Darren Nolan adding a couple from play and doing likewise after the break to crown an energetic and promising performance.

The 2-9 to 0-6 interval lead was widened to 2-14 to 0-9 by the end of the third quarter, with Nolan setting up Lyng for Wexford's first point of the second period before the newcomer returned the compliment.

Colm Farrell, who improved after the break, also availed of a Nolan pass to hit the target, and the latter's fourth point was created by a Willie Doran handpass.

Liam Rushe converted the free following Darren Stamp's dismissal to make it 2-15 to 0-11, with Colm Gleeson and Jim Berry going on to swap points before U.C.D. hit the last 1-1 of an uninspiring encounter.

Peter Atkinson capped a neat catch from the puck-out after Berry's score with a point, and substitute Cian Waldron got the last touch in a goalmouth scramble to beat Dermot Flynn after a close-in free taken by Joey Boland was blocked.

In truth, this was no test for the new faces on the Wexford team, so hopefully they will get another chance to show what they are capable of when Dublin make the journey to the same venue on Saturday next.

With the Slaneysiders stuck in Division 2 for another campaign, games against stronger opponents should be approached with relish. The bottom line is that more should be learned in this next outing than in at least five of those forthcoming league games combined.

- In Páirc Uí Síocháin, Gorey