Leinster Final bound Kilkenny lose out to Wexford in thriller

Despite team captain Eoin Cody scoring three goals, Kilkenny came away from their trip to Chadwicks Wexford Park empty handed.

The two point Wexford success sees the Slaneysiders maintain their status in the Leinster Championship for another year while Dublin and Galway's draw in Croke Park means Kilkenny will meet the Tribesmen in the provincial final on Sunday June 11.

With Wexford's championship survival very much on the line prior to throw-in, a big crowd turned out to support the home side but when Eoin Cody  and Mossy Keoghan scored two goals inside the first five minutes, the air partly went out of what was up to then a cracking atmosphere.

Wexford battled back brilliantly though with a Lee Chin penalty keeping them in touch before a second goal from midfielder Kevin Foley allowed Darragh Egan's team to lead 2-11 to 2-10 at the end of a high scoring and hugely entertaining opening half.

Liam Og McGovern then scored two further goals in the 40th and 44th minutes and at that stage Wexford had opened up a seven point lead.

Kilkenny were never going to go away easily and when Cody netted his second goal and Tom Phelan topped off an individual tally of 1-4, the bare minimum seperated the sides (4-17 to 4-16).

Kilkenny sub Conor Delaney then levelled up matters before Cody scored his hat-trick goal and at that stage, it looked like the Cats were in prime position to seal the win.

With a lot more hanging on the outcome, Wexford finished with a flourish and scored five of the last six points including two apiece from Lee Chin and Cathal Dunbar.

Wexford supporters hearts were still in their mouth in the final few seconds after Billy Ryan hit a goalbound effort towards goal but a superb save from James Lawlor saw the hosts hold out for a two point success.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Eoin Cody (3-1), Tom Phelan (1-4), TJ Reid (0-7, four frees and one '65), Martin Keoghan (1-0), Adrian Mullen, Billy Ryan, Conor Delaney, Padraig Walsh, Alan Murphy, Walter Walsh (0-1 each)

Wexford- Lee Chin (1-10, six frees and one '65), Liam Og McGovern (2-1), Kevin Foley (1-1), Rory O'Connor (0-4), Oisin Foley, Cathal Dunbar (0-2 each), Liam Ryan, Diarmuid O'Keeffe, Conor McDonald (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Mikey Butler (O'Loughlin Gaels), Huw Lawlor (O'Loughlin Gaels), Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan); David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan), Darragh Corcoran (Shamrocks); John Donnelly (Thomastown), Walter Walsh (Tullogher Rosbercon); Tom Phelan (Conahy Shamrocks), Adrian Mullen (Shamrocks), Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan); Billy Drennan (Galmoy), TJ Reid (Shamrocks), Eoin Cody (Shamrocks).

Subs- Conor Delaney (Erin's Own) for Butler 11 mins, Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan) for Keoghan 13 mins, Conor Fogarty (Erin's Own) for Mullen 25 mins, Alan Murphy (Glenmore) for Drennan 48 mins, Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro) for W.Walsh 65 mins.

Wexford-James Lawlor; Joe O'Connor, Liam Ryan, Conor Devitt; Simon Donohoe, Matthew O'Hanlon, Ian Carty; Diarmuid O'Keeffe, Kevin Foley; Jack O'Connor, Liam Og McGovern, Oisin Foley; Rory O'Connor, Conor McDonald, Lee Chin.

Subs- Conor Foley for Joe O'Connor 18 mins, Cathal Dunbar for Jack O'Connor 54 mins, Conor Hearne for Foley 65 mins, Mikie Dwyer for Og McGovern 68 mins.

Referee- Colm Lyons (Cork)