Kilkenny 0-23 Wexford 2-17:Something for everybody at Nowlan Park. If Kilkenny were unsure of the appropriate level of celebration with which to greet an April draw with old neighbours their instinct was to show relief.
For Wexford this fine game was a result the faith needed after a winter of hot and cold hurling. Not dead yet, was the defiant message.
So we may yet have a meaningful Leinster championship. Brian Cody conceded afterwards that Kilkenny were unimpressive. This morning he might be awaking to the thought that a league final against Tipp in two weeks was a dish he might not have ordered so soon before the championship.
Wexford managed to hang a few question marks in Kilkenny's heads. As such it was mission accomplished. When the teams return to this venue on June 8th for championship play, John Conran can give a dressing-room speech of passion and conviction. Kilkenny can be taken.
Like a great political dynasty Kilkenny are seldom at rest. They came into this game festooned with all manner of rumour about discontent in the camp, about plots and walk outs and dirty politics. All that will be resolved. The difficulties they have down the centre of their defence might not be so easily fixed. Often yesterday they were sundered by strong running and taken apart by clever balls into the square. Wexford watched the damage Tipperary did in the same areas a few weeks ago and learned from it.
In mitigation, Kilkenny will point to the absences of DJ Carey and Philly Larkin as being among their problems but no team in the country has a squad like theirs and all absences have to be weighted accordingly. Wexford, hurling without Daragh Ryan, Darren Stamp, David "Doc" O'Connor, and Liam Dunne, were equally hobbled. What Wexford learned yesterday was that if they raise their game to the appropriate level they'll get chances.
This was a grand game decorated by some great hurling and dominated for 25 minutes by one player from each side. From the 33rd minute of the first- half to the 24th of the second, 15 points were scored and all of them either by Paul Codd or Henry Shefflin. Codd's contribution from play exceeded that of Shefflin and that was probably a reflection of what each gave to their own cause. Codd has an ability not just to latch onto squirting ball in the middle of the field but also to clear space around him for his shot.
He has often looked like a big strong hurler who can do damage but yesterday he looked smart as well. As well as the figure in brackets after his name he should cherish the diagonal pass out to Rory Jacob for Wexford's second last point. Amid the frenzy it was a moment of wisdom and beauty.
Wexford started keenly yesterday as is their wont when they are faced with the old stripes. Donal Berry popped a point to which Tommy Walsh replied immediately. A minute later Martin Comerford soloed 40 yards into the heart of the Wexford defence before floating a point over and it began to look as if Kilkenny were going to slash and burn Wexford.
Wexford stood up though. Two points in reply and a shot from Donal Berry which required PJ Ryan to save. Shefflin replied with two quick frees and then Wexford landed a punch to the chin. A long ball out of defence squeezed through to Barry Goff who stole a couple of strides before hammering to the net. He added a point 30 seconds later and two points from Codd arrived to keep things going.
And then it was time to lay down the markers. It used to be said about the Meath football team of the late 1980s and early '90s that they could play through warfare without losing concentration. Kilkenny have enough in them to be able to do the same and as things grew niggly Wexford lost their way for the only time in the match. Blood subs were coming and going. Shemozzles were erupting like spots on a teenager. Kilkenny hurled on.
Carter, playing instead of injured Carey, had a point, Derek Lyng hauled in a huge score, Conor Phelan pulled down a high ball and turned for a textbook full-forward score and, 12 minutes before half-time, Kilkenny had pulled themselves back level while Wexford were asking people to hold them back before they did damage.
Wexford were surprised perhaps to find that they could still have parity - at least around midfield. Codd gave an illustration of Kilkenny's problems with a long solo run and a point to reinstate the lead. Then inspirationally he put a 45-metre sideline cut over the bar and followed up by catching a Damien Fitzhenry clearance and driving it to the Kilkenny net. Super hero stuff to which a Shefflin free just before half-time was the sole response.
For a while after the oranges had been served it was one on one between Shefflin and Codd. In 21 minutes of play Shefflin had seven points and Codd four, the net effect of which was not just impressive but it also hauled Kilkenny back again. By the time Tommy Walsh interrupted the sequence with a point 11 minutes from time the lusty roar which greeted it marked it down as an equaliser and the curtain raiser for a fierce finale.
Anticipation was justified. Barry Lambert's cameo yielded two points. Kilkenny subs Mackey and McEvoy had two as well. Rory Jacob and Shefflin were the other scorers as tempo grew quicker and the stakes got higher.
In the end and on the face of things all it meant was that Kilkenny progressed and Wexford return to the practice pitch. It's what they'll be saying behind closed doors in the next few weeks that will reveal the truth of yesterday's performances though.
KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; J Ryall, N Hickey, JJ Delaney; R Mullalley, P Barry, A Cummins; D Lyng (0-1), P Tennyson; M Comerford (0-1), H Shefflin (0-13, 10f), T Walsh (0-3); C Carter (0-2), C Phelan (0-1), E Brennan. Subs: B McEvoy (0-1) for Brennan (49 mins); D Mackey (0-1) for M Comerford (49 mins); A Comerford for Barry (65 mins); E Mackey for Ryall (70mins).
WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D Guiney, R Mallon; K Rossiter, D Ruth, M O'Leary; L O'Gorman, R McCarthy (0-1); MJ Furlong, D Berry (0-1), B Goff (1-1); C McGrath (0-1), P Codd ( 1-10, 5f), R Jacob (0-1). Subs: K Furlong for Mallon (20 mins); T Mahon for R McCarthy (33 mins); G Coleman for O'Leary (half-time); B Lambert (0-2) for Coleman (57 mins); D Ryan for Ruth (70 mins).
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)
