Kilkenny 2-17
Wexford 2-12
The Kilkenny minor hurlers eventually proved too strong for Wexford on Saturday afternoon as they got the better of their neighbours in the Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship.
Wexford came straight out of the blocks as they raced into a 2-03 to 0-01 lead within the opening ten minutes of this intense encounter.
Kilkenny managed to contain their opponents energy and intensity as the game proceeded with Aaron McEvoy frees keeping the scoreboard ticking for Niall Bergin’s side.
A crucial first half goal from St. Kieran’s College man Anthony Ireland Wall saw Kilkenny reduce the deficit to four points midway through the first half.
Points from play by Eoghan Lyng and Mikey Stynes further ate into Wexford’s lead and a second goal from Ireland Wall brought the sides level, Kilkenny 2-03 to 2-03 Wexford.
McEvoy duly obliged when offered the opportunity to increase his tally from dead ball situations as Wexford rued ill-discipline and an Ireland Wall point on the stroke of half-time meant the teams could not be separated at the interval, 2-07 to 2-07.
Kilkenny moved up through the gears in the second half as they continued to pick off points with substitute Ed McDermott, Ireland Wall, Rory Glynn and Jeff Neary giving the Cats a 2-13 to 2-11 lead with ten minutes of a breathless clash remaining.
Frees from Lyng and McEvoy kept the Kilkenny men ahead and they deservedly saw out the remainder of the game to grab an important victory.