Road to the Final- Wexford loss but Kilkenny off to Leinster final

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

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 Óg 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 separated 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 mouths in the final few seconds after Billy Ryan hit a goalbound effort towards the net 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, 0-4 frees, 0-1 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, 0-6 frees, 0-1 65); Liam Óg 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; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Padraig Walsh, Darragh Corcoran; John Donnelly, Walter Walsh; Tom Phelan, Adrian Mullen, Martin Keoghan; Billy Drennan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Conor Delaney for Butler 11 mins, Billy Ryan for Keoghan 13 mins, Conor Fogarty for Mullen 25 mins, Alan Murphy for Drennan 48 mins, Cillian Buckley 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 Óg 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 Óg McGovern 68 mins.

Referee - Colm Lyons (Cork).