Dublin stormed to a 2-17 to 2-13 victory over Wexford in this highly competitive Walsh Cup senior hurling semi-final at Gorey yesterday afternoon.

Dublin, having controlled most of the opening 35 minutes with former footballer Shane Ryan flashing home a great fifth-minute goal, went on to lead 1-9 to 0-8 at the interval. Diarmuid Lyng's frees kept the model county in touch.

The second half exploded within six minutes of the restart when Dublin had wing-forward John Kelly sent off on a second yellow card. Six minutes later, the dominant John McCaffrey in midfield was also dismissed on a second yellow following a wild pull. This left the visitors to play out the closing 21 minutes with 13 players.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Kevin O'Loughlin netted with his first touch of the ball to leave his side leading 2-12 to 1-9, Lyng having goaled a Wexford free in the 46th minute.

Dublin were by far the sharper side. Inspired by the superb Stephen Hiney and Ronan Fallon, they succeeded in shutting out the home attack, where only Lyng and Jim Berry carried any real threat. It was a game the homeside never really looked like winning despite their numerical advantage for most of the second half.

Dublin A Nolan; S O'Sullivan, N Corcoran, R Traynor; S Hiney, R Fallon, M O'Brien (0-2); J McCaffrey (0-4 (0-2, 65s), S Lambert (0-1); D Curtin, S Ryan (1-1), J Kelly; P Carton, K Flynn (0-1), A McCrabbe (0-6, 0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline cut) Subs M Carton (0-1) for Curtin; K O'Loughlin (1-0) for P Carton; D Byrne (0-1) for Ryan

Wexford D Flynn; E Doyle, B Kenny, K Rossiter; D Stamp, G Jacob, P Nolan; C Farrell (0-1 free), M Travers; P J Nolan, W Doran (0-1), D Nolan; S Banville (0-1), D Lyng (1-7, 1-5 frees), J Berry (1-2). Subs A Shore for Banville; C Kenny (0-1) for Travers; T Mahon for Farrell; T Waters for D Nolan; M Connors for P J Nolan

Referee B Kelly (Westmeath).