Kilkenny 0-19 Wexford 0-17
Kilkenny retained their Leinster hurling title after a two point defeat of Wexford in a pulsating Croke Park encounter this afternoon.
Brian Cody’s side showed up favorably in attack to snatch vital scores unlike their flustered rivals who will rue a number of shocking wides early in the second half.
Wexford started the match brightly, despite playing into the wind and led 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. Brian McEvoy, however, proved a handful for the Wexford half-back line and levelled the game at 0-07- 0-07 in the 27th minute.
Wexford ‘keeper Damien Fitzhenry then needed to be at his brilliant best to make a fine save from the boot of Henry Shefflin. Andy Comerford whipped in a sideline ball which Shefflin did well to field under strong Wexford pressure. But the half-forward swiveled and booted the ball goalwards only to see his effort blocked down by Fitzhenry.
The champions surged ahead late in the half with points from Eddie Brennan, his second of the period, and a booming score from distance courtesy of Richie Mullally. Mitch Jordan batted over a late score for Wexford but Kilkenny still held the advantage at half-time on a 0-10 to 0-8 scoreline.
Wexford scored a miserable six points from play and only for the sublime free taking of Paul Codd would have suffered a crueler defeat. They started the second half poorly and blazed three honest scoring opportunities wide of the mark.
Kilkenny free-taker, Henry Shefflin, experienced one of his quieter championship clashes - due largely to the excellent Wexford centre-back Declan Ruth - but turned on the style during a five minute period late in the game. He fetched fine scores from narrow angles on both sides of the pitch to edge Kilkenny two points clear.
Wexford, who had Liam Dunne sent off four minutes from time after a wild pull on Martin Comerford, upped the tempo and bridged the deficit to a single point with another Codd free. But substitute Brian Dowling belted over a tremendous injury-time score from distance to reinstate Kilkenny’s two point advantage and ultimately secure their fifth Leinster title in-a-row.