Walsh Cup: Kilkenny lose out to Wexford in tough conditions

Kilkenny bowed out of the Dioralyte Walsh Cup at the semi-final stage when losing out to Wexford in John Locke Park this afternoon.

The narrow one point deficit for the Cats only arrived as a result of two late goals from Eoin Guilfoyle and Billy Ryan but overall Wexford were much the much better side on a disappoiting afternoon for Derek Lyng's men.

Kilkenny had the benefit of playing against 14 men for much of the second half and even 13 men for a spell after Wexford half forward Tomas Kinsella was given a red card for a strike on Kevin Blanchfield which then developed into a melee afterwards.

In a further blow to the Model County, corner back Niall Murphy gave away a black card penalty for an offence on Liam Blanchfield which resulted in James Stephens star Eoin Guilfoyle netting the sliotar past James Lawlor.

Prior to those two offences, Wexford looked the much sharper side as they dealt with the underfoot conditions a lot easier than the hosts and with Jack O'Connor scoring five first half points they led by double scores at the break (0-12 to 0-6).

Kilkenny introduced a number of Thomastown stars that featured in last week's All-Ireland Intermediate club final ad improved a little but apart from Guilfoyle converting a number of frees and Mossy Keoghan adding a pair of efforts from play, scores were hard to come by for the Noresiders.

The two late goals sparked hope of a Kilkenny revival but the visitors held out to book a final place with Galway next weekend.

For Kilkenny, all eyes will now turn to the opening round of the Allianz League in a fortnights time where Wexford will again be the opposition in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Teams and Scorers

Wexford- Seamus Casey (0-9, nine frees); Jack O'Connor (0-6); Kevin Foley, Conor Hearne, Cian Byrne (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Eoin Guilfoyle (1-6, five frees); Billy Ryan (1-0); Martin Keoghan (0-2); Kevin Blanchfield, Andy Hickey, Stephen Donnelly (0-1 each)

Wexford- James Lawlor; Niall Murphy, Conor Foley, Eoin Ryan; Charlie McGuckin, Damien Reck, Mike Kelly; Kevin Foley, Conor Hearne; Corey Byrne Dunbar, Jack O'Connor, Tomas Kinsella; Seamus Casey, Richie Lawlor, Cian Byrne.

Subs- Cian Molloy for C.Foley, 34 mins; James Byrne for Hearne, 40 mins; Jack Doran for C.Byrne, 64 mins.

Kilkenny- Darren Brennan (St Lachtains); Niall Rowe (Dicksboro), Conor Delaney (Erins Own); Peter McDonald (Thomastown); Padraic Moylan (Dicksboro), Darragh Corcoran (Shamrocks), David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge); Kevin Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Killian Doyle (Emeralds); Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro), Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), Paul Cody (Clara); Eoin Guilfoyle (James Stephens), Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Tom Phelan (Conahy).

Subs- Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown) for Phelan, h-t; Zach Bay Hammond (Thomastown) for Moylan, h-t; Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan) for Cody, h-t; Andy Hickey (Dunnamaggin) for Clifford, 45 mins; Joe Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin) for McDonald, 54 mins; Bill Hughes (Bennettsbridge) for Delaney, 60 mins; Luke Connellan (Thomastown) for L.Blanchfield 60 mins.

Referee- Padraig Dunne (Laois)