Conveyor belt of talent continues to roll on unchecked

Kilkenny 1-19 Wexford 0-12:A STRONG START to the second half laid the foundations for a Kilkenny victory in yesterday's Leinster minor hurling championship final at Croke Park.

Though leading by just five points at the break, three quick points straight after the resumption for Kilkenny meant that Wexford were playing catch-up from there on.

Wexford, having accounted for 2007 champions Dublin in last Saturday's semi-final replay, had headed Kilkenny early on courtesy of back-to-back scores from dead ball by Paul Morris.

Kilkenny were soon into their stride, however, and after Rory Hickey put them in front for the first time on nine minutes. Kilkenny then struck for the only goal of the game in the next attack when Martin Gaffney took a pass from Canice Maher before slotting past the goalkeeper from close in.

The teams traded a point each and then, after Kilkenny captain Thomas Breen had sent over the first of his five points, Joe Brennan, having converted to full forward, shot just over the bar.

After this Wexford enjoyed their best spell of the game, Andrew Shore twice finding the range in a four-point unanswered spell before Brennan pointed just before the break to leave it 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval.

Brennan, having returned to right half forward for the second half, sent over successive frees, Breen then taking Kilkenny's lead out to eight points.

And although Eoin Moore had sent over an inspirational point for Wexford following a Morris free, Kilkenny's two top scorers - Brennan and Breen - were able to keep Wexford at bay approaching the halfway stage of the second half.

By the time Shane Tomkins had hit the crossbar for Wexford on 55 minutes, Kilkenny were well in control, Danny Purcell coming off the bench to contribute two points for the winners.

KILKENNY: E Murphy; D Healy, M Walsh, A Cuddihy; R Doyle, C Fogarty, M Moloney (0-1, free); C Kenny (0-2), J Gannon (0-1); J Brennan (0-6, four frees), P McCarthy, R Hickey (0-1); C Maher, T Breen (0-5), M Gaffney (1-1). Subs: D Purcell (0-2) for Maher (46 mins), W Welsh for McCarthy (52 mins), S Phelan for D Healy (56 mins), T Ryan for R Doyle (60 mins).

WEXFORD: M Fanning; W Devereux, P Donnell, S Murphy; C Clince, E Moore (0-1), J Leacy; H Kehoe (0-1), J Gahan; L Óg McGovern, A Shore (0-3), P Morris (0-6, four frees, one 65); J Kelly (0-1), Michael O'Hanlon, S Tomkins. Subs: D O'Keefe for Kelly (39 mins), P Kelly for Michael O'Hanlon (47 mins), Matthew O'Hanlon for Gahan (55 mins).

Referee: T Carroll (Offaly).