A strong second half performance by Wicklow saw them overpower Kilkenny in this under-21 game in Baltinglass on Saturday.

Wicklow had a four-point lead after 15 minutes but a goal from Michael Grace and points from Paul Sheahan and Aidan Holden had them a point in arrears. The home side fought back and in some good exchanges the sides were level 1-6 to 2-3 at the interval.

Wicklow tightened up in defence to hold Kilkenny scoreless for the second half, while key forwards such as Tony Hannon, Keith Burke and Thomas McKeown were in terrific form.

WICKLOW: B Behan; K Foster, K Foley, B Daly; S Mulryan, C Toomey, D Hannaidh; D Dillon (0-1), B Hickey; K Burke (0-2), B Sheahan, T Hannon (1-5); C Flannery (0-1), T O'Donnell (0-1), T McKeown (0-3). Subs: P Moynihan (0-1) for Hickey; J Hedderman (0-1) for Foster; D Kavanagh for Hannon; L Mooney for Mulryan; P Dalton for Burke.

KILKENNY: F O'Neill; S Whelan, W Burke, R Lawlor; G Byrne, A Mackey, J Kenny; E Hennebry, M Knox; K Madigan, A Holden (0-1), P Sheahan (0-1); D Herity (1-1), C Conway, M Grace (1-0).

Referee: J Rutherford (Dublin).