Kilkenny 1-19 Wexford 0-11: A PRECISE and polished performance ensured Kilkenny captured their 52nd Leinster Minor hurling title at Croke Park.

Wexford carried hope and expectation into this decider, but a resilient Kilkenny strolled to a win that was as emphatic as the scoreline suggests.

Ger Aylward’s crisp fourth minute goal following a clever Canice Maher delivery afforded Kilkenny an ideal start, and they led 1-10 to 0-8 by the interval.

Brendan Barron’s frees and Liam Óg McGovern’s dashing contribution had kept Wexford in touch early on, but Kilkenny possessed more attacking class.

Man of the match Seán Kehoe was in splendid form at centre forward driving over smashing scores from frees. Wexford never threatened the goal they required, and a late points from Cathal Kenny, Kehoe (3), Ollie Walsh, and Seán Gaffney sealed the Cats’ win.

KILKENNY: J Power; I Duggan, W Phelan, J Lyng; L Harney, R Doyle (0-1, free), J Gannon; C Kenny (0-2), C Buckley; C Maher (0-1), S Kehoe (0-10, five frees), O Walsh (0-1); J Cassin, G Aylward (1-1), W Walsh (0-2). Subs: G Brennan for Cassin (34 min), M Gaffney (0-1) for Aylward (53 mins), P Gahan for Gannon (59 mins), D Kenny for Duggan (59 mins), J Corcoran for Kenny (60 mins).

WEXFORD: M Fanning; W Devereux, M O’Hanlon, A Nolan; C Goff, J Gordon, B Barron (0-7, seven frees); B Doyle, M Maloney; D O’Keefe (0-1), C Doyle, I Byrne; L Óg McGovern (0-3), P Farrell, B Carton. Subs: N Murphy for Carton (36 mins), C Clince for Moloney (37 mins), B O’Gorman for Byrne (45 mins), M O’Regan for Doyle (56 mins).

Referee: D Hughes (Carlow).