The Cats have stopped Wexford’s possible treble.
Kilkenny have come out on top of a nervy final as they defeated Wexford last night. The game was played in front of over 6,000 fans at Innovate Wexford Park yesterday.
Wexford started off the scoring with 2 points from Ross Banville. Kilkenny’s response wasn’t long coming with points from James Brennan, Eoin Cody and Niall Brassil. The turning point though came when captain Evan Shefflin bursted the net beating Wexford’s keeper to send 1-04 to 0-03 ahead. The half finished with Kilkenny two point clear as the sides went down the tunnel with the score 1-07 to Wexfords 0-08.
The first score of the second half came from Niall Brassil, but the Slaneysiders fought back hard with points from McGuckin, Banville, and Fitzhenry to draw the game. Kilkenny kicked up a gear and pulled ahead once again, at one stage creating a 5 point difference. Wexford did not stop fighting, spurred on by a home crowd, they eventually brought themselves back into contention scoring two points.
A thrilling finale ensued, as Shefflin scored a point, Wexford frantically tried to level the game. That nearly happened as Chris Turner just fired over to leave the game 1-17 to 0-18 points as the whistle blew. Kilkenny denied Wexford a famous provincial hat-trick – their first since 1970 while also handing them their third u20 Leinster final defeat in as many years.
Both sides have booked their place in an All Ireland semi final with Kilkenny set to face the Munster runners up between Cork and Tipperary. Wexford meanwhile will take on the Munster champions.
Congratulations to DJ CArey’s men on a fantastic victory from everyone here at KCLR
KILKENNY – D Mason; J Brennan, C Flynn, M Butler; C Hearly, M Carey, D Blanchfield; E O’Shea, E Shefflin; S Donnelly, N Brassil, A Brennan; J Bergin, S Ryan, E Cody. Subs: C Brennan for Bergin (41), J Kelly for Donnelly (55), J Dowd for O’Shea (59), J Ryan for J Brennan (65).
WEXFORD – J Lawlor; C O’Connor, E Molloy, E O’Leary; C Scallan, M Kelly, N Murphy; C McGuckin, E Murphy; S Keane Carroll, C Clancy, J Reck; S O’Connor, R Banville, D Doyle. Subs: C Fitzhenry for Keane Carroll inj (4), O Carthy for Doyle (h-t), C Turner for O’Connor (54), B Maddock for Banville inj (58).
