Mighty Murphy leads Under 20 charge in impressive opener

Kilkenny kicked off their Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship in impressive fashion when seeing off Wexford in fine style at UPMC Nowlan Park.

The opening round-robin clash was a repeat of last year’s Leinster Semi-Final but ulike on that occasion, Mark Dowling’s team were much too good for their near neighbours.

Tullogher Rosbercon’s Marty Murphy was the standout performer on show as he continued on from his fine club form in scoring 2-3 from play including a goal in each half.

The towering inside forward gave Kilkenny a real focus in attack and he caused Wexford huge problems.

As well as Murphy, team captain Cillian Hackett and Niall Shortall also found the net while senior star Harry Shine scored eight points over the course of the 60 plus minutes.

Wexford did net second half goals from Sean Rowley and Simon Roche but the hosts always had a response and Kilkenny now know they are a win against Laois next week away from sealing their place in the Leinster Semi-Finals next month.

Kilkenny raced out of the traps and were on the board within 20 seconds when Harry Shine shot between the posts at the city end of Nowlan Park.

Despite that opening score, the first quarter was nip and tuck as Wexford with the wind at their backs put it up to the home side.

Daragh Murphy, Simon Roche and Cillian Byrne scored in that period for Wexford but there were signs that Kilkenny had the ability to pull away on the scoreboard.

A cracking Killian Doyle sideline cut as well as points from Shine and Murphy had the teams deadlocked at 0-5 apiece by the 16th minute even though Gearoid Dunne went close with a pair of goal attempts.

When the first goal did arrive, Dunne played a big hand in it as he set up Niall Shortall who was denied by Tiernan Doyle before Marty Murphy forced in the rebound.

Wexford’s chances then looked pretty slim when midfelder Cillian Hackett ran forward from deep before blasting a shot to the net as the Cats took a 2-7 to 0-8 lead.

Wexford started the second half relatively well with points from Sean Rowley and Cillian Byrne who both put in big displays but by the 35th minute, the game was all but over when Niall Shortall batted a shot to the net.

Wexford replied with consolation goals via Sean Rowley and Simon Roche but another three pointer from Murphy saw Kilkenny run out commanding victors.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny: Marty Murphy (2-3), Harry Shine (0-8, 4fs), Niall Shortall, Cillian Hackett (1-0 each), James Walsh (0-3), Killian Doyle, Gearoid Dunne, Aaron McEvoy (0-2 each), Eoghan Lyng (0-1)

Wexford: Daragh Murphy (0-6, 5fs), Sean Rowley (1-2), Simon Roche (1-1), Cillian Byrne (0-3), Luke Murphy, Darragh Farrell (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Niall Holland (Tullaroan); Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan), Killian Corcoran (Shamrocks), Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh); Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge), Bill Hughes (Bennettsbridge), Paddy Langton (Young Irelands); Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro), Killian Doyle (Emeralds); Niall Shortall (Shamrocks), Ted Dunne (Graignamanagh), Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan); Harry Shine (Dicksboro), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Michael Brennan (Erin’s Own).

Subs: James Walsh (Kilmacow) for T Dunne (38 mins), Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan) for Brennan (45 mins), Ryan Corcoran (Graigue Ballycallan) for Shortall (52 mins), Joe Fitzpatrick (Dunnamaggin) for Murphy (55 mins), Sean Moore (Carrickshock) for Lyng (58 mins).

Wexford: Tiernan Doyle; Ben Asple, Darragh Kehoe, Cian O’Tuama; Paidi Doyle, Charlie Roark, Conor O’Toole; Sean Rowley, Cillian Byrne; Cathal Parker, Simon Roche, Andrew Moran; Luke Murphy, Darragh Murphy, Darby Purcell.

Subs: Eamonn Wickham for Moran (H-T), Jake Molloy for Darby Purcell (H-T), Dylan Purcell for O’Toole (37 mins), Padraig Jones for Asple (38 mins), Darragh Farrell for Doyle (44 mins).

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly)