Wexford summer fizzles out

All-Ireland SHC Semi-final/Kilkenny 0-23 Wexford 1-10:  They said it couldn't get any worse, that it had to improve on a few weeks ago. Yet no one entering Croke Park for yesterday's All-Ireland hurling semi-final could recall a more miserable feel to a so-called summer.

The contest, unlike the weather, did at least improve, marginally. Unlike the previous meeting between these two teams five weeks ago - and that sad excuse for a Leinster final - it was competitive beyond the throw-in. Just not far beyond it.

In the end Kilkenny didn't quite repeat the 15-point winning margin - or double scores - of the Leinster final, but they proved comprehensive winners nonetheless. In the closing stages their attitude could be just as carefree, as Wexford fell hopelessly out of contention, never pressing Kilkenny to do anything more than they needed.

For manager Brian Cody the four-week countdown to the last stage of their All-Ireland defence can begin in earnest - and there's every reason to believe they will be at their peak come September 2nd. Their only concern arising from this game is over full back Noel Hickey, who sustained a hamstring tear early in the second half which will inevitably raise doubts about his availability for the final showdown with either Limerick or Waterford.

But Cody can take plenty of positives too, not least the performance of his captain Henry Shefflin. Having been held scoreless from play by Galway a week ago, Shefflin stepped up a gear and hit 0-14 - including four typically majestic points from play.

Tommy Walsh is once again proving unmatchable at wing back, and Brian Hogan had another good game in the centre.

Their attack was a little less fearsome than usual, with Eddie Brennan coming off scoreless and Martin Comerford hitting several wides. The big surprise was how few goal chances Kilkenny created, but it's probable they never really went hunting for them.

Wexford's chance of victory was only going to depend on their ability to score goals. They got one all right but it was far too late to matter, inside the last five minutes, and also a little dubious - Michael Jacob's rebounding shot appearing to settle on the goal line rather than cross it.

What Wexford needed was a goal early on. Still they started well and settled more quickly than Kilkenny, hitting three scores without reply - two points from Barry Lambert and another from David O'Connor.

Shefflin helped even it up again on 14 minutes, and then came the goal chance that could have sent Wexford into a more commanding position. Michael Jacob set up O'Connor under a high ball but PJ Ryan made the block, and that seemed to inspire Kilkenny to get down to business.

After starting at full forward, Shefflin came back out to centre forward and without breaking sweat started to turn the game.

The sides were still level on 25 minutes, at 0-5 each, but Wexford were outscored by six points to one between then and the half-time break, bringing on the heavy air of inevitability.

It was merely a case of Kilkenny doing the simple things right and Wexford doing them badly. At one point O'Connor had clean possession, but he laid it off poorly, and Kilkenny worked it effortlessly down the field for Willie O'Dwyer to score.

You may get away with such lapses in a challenge match but not against Kilkenny in an All-Ireland semi-final.

There was little excitement in the second half. Some of us in the press box did get slightly animated after Enda McEvoy of the Sunday Tribune informed us he had the handicap betting of Kilkenny to win by 11 points. That at least maintained our interest.

Wexford's interest appeared to end early in the half when they fluffed another goal chance. Rory Jacob swept the ball across the goalmouth toward Paul Carley, but he failed to make any connection.

Kilkenny immediately shot the ball back up the field for Comerford to score his second point, and after that it was clear Wexford needed a miracle.

Instead they went 14 minutes into the half before adding their next score, at which point Kilkenny were 0-15 to 0-7 in front.

That wasn't an unassailable lead, but Wexford were looking increasingly desperate.

James Cha Fitzpatrick made his presence felt at midfield - hitting two fine scores - while Shefflin was killing them relentlessly with his free-taking.

With 10 minutes remaining it was 0-22 to 0-10, and McEvoy's bet was looking a winner. The Wexford substitutes didn't have the desired effect, and while PJ Nolan managed a score, it was nothing like the inspiration that they needed.

Wexford's late goal merely distorted that final scoreline. Lambert's 21-yard free was blocked but Michael Jacob was well placed for the rebound, even though the finish was far from conclusive. Jackie Tyrrell appeared to have blocked it on the line, but the green flag was raised and Kilkenny didn't argue too hard.

The final word, however, went to Shefflin, who hit a late 65 to close the curtain on what must rank as one of the least inspiring All-Ireland semi-finals in years. Kilkenny can't really be blamed for that, and it's never really bothered them how they win.

But inside, Cody must realise they've saved their best hurling until last.

KILKENNY: 1 PJ Ryan; 2 M Kavanagh; 3 N Hickey, 4 J Tyrrell; 5 T Walsh, 6 B Hogan, 7 JJ Delaney; 8 D Lyng, 9 J Fitzpatrick (0-2); 14 M Comerford (0-2), 10 E Brennan, 12 E Larkin (0-2); 21 R Power (0-1), 11 H Shefflin (0-14 nine frees, one 65), 13 W O'Dwyer (0-1). Subs: 15 A Fogarty (0-1) for Larkin (blood sub, eight mins, resumed 30 mins), 17 J Tennyson for Hickey (39 mins, inj), 19 R Mullally for Lyng (49 mins), 15 A Fogarty for Brennan (51 mins), 22 J Dalton for Kavanagh (59 mins), 24 E Reid for Comerford (64 mins).

WEXFORD: 1 D Fitzhenry; 2 M Travers, 3 K Rossiter, 4 P Roche; 5 R Kehoe, 6 D Ruth, 7 D Lyng; 8 R McCarthy (0-1), 9 D Stamp (0-1); 10 E Quigley, 11 M Jordan, 12 D O'Connor (0-1); 13 B Lambert (0-5, two frees), 14 M Jacob (1-1), 15 R Jacob. Subs: 19 P Carley for Jordan (27 mins), 17 C Kenny for Rossiter (half-time, inj), 21 S Nolan for O'Connor, 22 P White for R Jacob (both 53 mins), 30 PJ Nolan (0-1) for Carley (56 mins).

Referee: M Haverty (Galway).

YELLOW CARDS: Kilkenny - M Comerford (22 mins), T Walsh (53 mins); Wexford - K Rossiter (22 mins), S Nolan (53 mins).

Attendance: 54,994 (triple-bill).