Last-gasp Niall Murphy goal gives Wexford 15th provincial crown and first since 2002

Wexford 1-21, Kilkenny 0-21
After extra-time

A last-gasp goal saw Wexford win their first Bord Gáis Energy Leinster Under-21 title since 2002, following an epic extra-time battle at Wexford Park last night.

Kilkenny goalkeeper Aaron Duggan dropped the ball over his own line at the death, with Niall Murphy the last Wexford man to get a touch, as the hosts claimed their 15th provincial crown.

The sides were level on seven occasions in normal time, including three times in the closing 10 minutes, with a late point from Jack Guiney forcing extra-time.

Three points (0-12 to 0-9) ahead at the break, Kilkenny saw six scoring chances go amiss inside five minutes of the restart. Wexford worked hard, as points from Rhys Clarke and Barry Carton cut the gap to the minimum by the 37th minute.

The hosts battled strongly in search of an equaliser, but to no avail as points from, Richie Reid and John Power handed Kilkenny a 0-14 to 0-11 lead in the 43rd minute.

Wexford edged their way back into contention with Guiney’s fourth pointed free and Ian Byrne’s first score from play cutting the gap to the minimum with 13 minutes remaining.

Conor McDonald won a hard-earned free late on, for Guiney to calmly slot over his sixth point and force extra-time at 0-17 apiece.

Scores from Guiney and Byrne helped Wexford take a 0-20 to 0-18 lead at half-time in extra-time, but a trio of Kelly frees edged the Cats into a one-point lead, and although Guiney’s ninth point looked like a replay would be required, Wexford snatched it.