Kikenny turned up the heat in the second half and produced some sensational play to first rescue and then win this sizzling Leinster senior hurling championship, Game 4 clash at packed Nowlan Park this evening. Victory earned the Cats a shot at All-lreland and Leinster champions, Galway, in the provincial final in Croke Park on July 1.
The breeze backed winners put an incredible run of seven points together by the 49th minute to get right back into the game, 1-13 to 0-14. Wexford, who were missing chances, halted the slide when a foul on midfield was turned into a point by the sweet striking Paudie Foley. However, the home side simply roared back. With the Kilkenny subs all doing well – three were introduced at the break – they swarmed all over the opposition, smothering every and any attempt to get the running game going that had hurt them so badly earlier.
Their quick thinking and movement caused Kilkenny a lot of trouble as they employed Shaun Murphy as a sweeper and goalie Mark Fanning often delayed his puck-outs so the runners could find room. After the opening eight points were shared equally, Kilkenny hit the front for the one and only time in the half when T.J. Reid pointed after an under pressure Wexford defender was judged to have thrown the ball.
SCORERS: Kilkenny – T.J. Reid (0-11); C. Fogarty, R. Leahy, J. Donnelly (0-2 each); E. Murphy, E. Morrissey, P. Walsh, J. Maher, J. Holden (0-1 each). Wexford – R. O’Connor, P. Foley (0-5 each); P. Morris (1-1); L. Chin (0-3); C. McDonald (0-2); D. O’Keeffe, K. Foley (0-1 each).
By Mary Morgan Sun 10th Jun
