Galway made it three straight Allianz Hurling League Division 1A victories at the expense of wasteful Wexford in Saturday's clash at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
The home-side had 14 wides – nine more than Galway – as goals from Anthony Burns and a Kevin Cooney penalty saw Micheál Donoghue’s men withstand a stirring late Wexford revival.
Both sides are on the road against Limerick – Galway heading that way next Saturday – before the Tribesmen finish up against Cork.
But they are clear of the danger of relegation whereas the odds are against Wexford in that respect as they close out the group in Limerick on 22 March 22.
Wexford were without attacker Cian Byrne after unsuccessfully appealing his dismissal against Clare, with the refreshed Rory O’Connor the only change for the victory in Ennis.
Meanwhile, Galway had the considerable boost of the experienced David Burke returning for his first taste of 2025 fare – the 36th player already pressed into action by the Tribe so far this term, five more than Wexford.
Michael Garvey (free), Burke and Cianan Fahy nestled Galway into a 0-03 to no-score lead inside eight minutes.
But, after Seamus Casey pegged back a point, Jack Grealish denied Rory O’Connor a goal at the expense of a fruitless ’65 after O’Connor had connected with a long clearance from Simon Donohoe.
Wexford turned the tables by 0-05 to 0-03 after 18 minutes via Casey (three placed-balls) and Jack O’Connor, from a Lee Chin assist.
But Galway had the books balanced for a second time after 27 minutes (0-07 each) as Tiernan Killeen (free), corner-back Darren Morrissey, Garvey (free) and Burke responded.
And while Wexford edged ahead by 0-10 to 0-09, they were stung three minutes into added-time when Anthony Burns bundled home after Wexford failed to cut out a delivery from left wing.
That shaded it for Galway at the break (1-09 to 0-10), and half-time substitute Kevin Cooney made an instant impact to forge a three point gap.
However, Wexford shook things up again when Rory O’Connor pounced on a short Galway puck-out to rattle the net, before Richie Lawlor edged them back in front (1-11 to 1-10).
The excitement for the 4,658 attendance was building as Galway reclaimed the upper-hand by 1-13 to 1-11 via Garvey (two frees) and Burns.
Concern quickly grew amongst Wexford connections as Galway created some daylight after 51 minutes when stretching ahead 1-16 to 1-12 through the Cooney substitutes, Conor (two frees) and Kevin.
And Conor Cooney consolidated their position when rasping home a 56th minute penalty after Kevin Cooney was hauled down by Richie Lawlor (2-16 to 1-13).
But five Lee Chin frees and a Shane Reck addition sent a bolt of electricity coursing through the venue as defiant Wexford closed to within 2-19 to 1-20 in the 70th minute and just as a minimum three minutes added-time was announced.
Galway held firm, but with appetites more than whetted for the sides’ Leinster championship clash on 10 May in Salthill.
Galway: Darach Fahy; Jack Grealish, Fintan Burke, Darren Morrissey (0-01); Pádraic Mannion, Gavin Lee, Michael Garvey (0-05, 3f); Cianan Fahy (0-01), David Burke (0-02); Brian Concannon, Tom Monaghan (0-01), Tiernan Killeen (0-02f); Declan McLoughlin, Conor Whelan, Anthony Burns (1-01).
Subs: Kevin Cooney (0-02) for McLoughlin (HT), Conor Cooney (1-02, 0-2f, 1-0pen) for Concannon (47), Colm Molloy (0-01) for Burns (59), Seán Linnane (0-01) for D Burke (60).
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Eoin Ryan, Damien Reck, Simon Donohoe; Conor Foley (0-01), Richie Lawlor (0-01), Charlie McGuckin; Conor Hearne (0-01), Cathal Dunbar (0-01); Jack Redmond, Lee Chin (0-05f), Jack O’Connor (0-01); Kevin Foley, Rory O’Connor (1-02), Seamus Casey (0-07, 5f, 2 65s).
Subs: Shane Reck (0-01) for D Reck, inj (35+3), Simon Roche for Redmond (HT), Niall Murphy for Ryan (HT), Tomás Kinsella for Casey (60), Mikie Dwyer for Dunbar (66).
Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin).
