Kilkenny minors dig deep, but Wexford take Leinster win

A late charge just fell short as the Kilkenny minor hurlers were edged out by Wexford in a see-saw Leinster clash.

Niall Bergin’s Cats did well to claw their way back from 10 points to trail by just two late on, but the Sean O’Brien-inspired Model men held on for the win at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Kilkenny were keen to build on their opening day win over Galway, but their hopes were hampered when they lost both Patrick Lacey and Jack Dollard to injury inside the opening 10 minutes. Those changes disrupted the team’s rhythm, allowing a wind-backed Wexford to take a firm grip on the game. With O’Brien in impressive scoring form they took the lead and built on it, a Darren Rossiter goal in the 22nd minute helping them build an advantage they had stretched out to nine points by half-time (1-13 to 0-7), despite the best efforts of Kilkenny’s Jake Mullen (0-4) and Conor Holohan (0-3).

Kilkenny made a positive start to the second half, shooting three quick points through Mullen (free), Eoghan Cahill and Kevin Buggy, but they were rattled when Rossiter pounced for his second goal in the 38th minute, pouncing on a loose ball after Padraig Joyce had saved Sean O’Brien’s shot.

Facing a 10-point gap (2-14 to 0-10) Kilkenny could have wilted, but the Cats roared back. Sub Ollie O’Donovan played his part in the comeback, striking a point before setting Buggy up for a goal that cut the gap to three points by the 51st minute (2-16 to 1-16).

Kilkenny pressed for a way back, getting to within two points late on thanks to Cahill and Holohan but Wexford, with O’Brien showing his composure, held on for the win.

The Cats will be hoping to bounce back when they host Dublin next weekend in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Wexford - Sean O’Brien (0-13, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65); Darren Rossiter (2-0); Ciaran Gethings (free), Jack Nolan, Sean Hyland, Oisin Moore (line ball), Colin Carley, Jack Dunne, Conor Fanning (0-1 each).

Kilkenny - Jake Mullen (0-9, 0-6 frees); Conor Holohan (0-5); Kevin Buggy (1-1); Eoghan Cahill (0-2); Eoin Brennan, Jason Cody, Ollie O’Donovan (0-1 each).