A dramatic last-gasp goal from Michael Jacob gave Kilkenny an astonishing, but thoroughly deserved, 2-15 to 1-16 victory over Kilkenny.
Wexford matched the All-Ireland champions in every area of the park throughout this scintillating encounter, trailing only by a point at the break (0-11 to 0-10). But when Eddie Brennan scored a goal just seconds after the restart, not many observers would have betted against Kilkenny securing a Leinster final berth. However, Rory Jacob hit a 42nd minute goal before the Cats introduced substitute DJ Carey in the 58th minute. The move almost worked for Kilkenny as they went into injury time a point in front. But Jacob's stunning winner ended their reign as Leinster champions.
Kilkenny had taken the lead through a Henry Shefflin free in the first minute but Wexford were competing well in every sector of the park. After 19 minutes they led 0-8 to 0-6 thanks to a Rory Jacob point. Barry Lambert struck over four placed balls, with Rory's brother Michael and Mitch Jordan also on target.
Kilkenny's response was swift and immediate with Shefflin and Jimmy Coogan pointing level. With two minutes remaining in the half, they had edged two points clear, at 0-10 to 0-08, with Shefflin, one of eight Kilkenny All Stars in 2003, and Walsh (free) firing over.
Championship debutant Eoin Quigley and Jordan, his second of the half, levelled again but Comerford gave Kilkenny a half-time lead of 0-11 to 0-10 with a 35-metre effort on the whistle.
27 seconds after the restart, consternation – or rather a lack of concentration – in the Wexford backs allowed Brennan in for his goal, a rising shot beyond Fitzhenry.
Adrian Fenlon swapped points with John Hoyne, before Rory Jacob tipped home his goal, cushioning a Fenlon sideline cut into the Cats' net. Just a point down at 1-11 to 1-12, Wexford fought bravely to retake the lead with Michael Jacob and Jordan pointing.
Shefflin restored parity for Kilkenny in the 59th minute, only for Paul Carley to nudge Wexford ahead again. Wexford 'keeper Fitzhenry could only bat Sean Dowling's effort over as the Cats levelled at 1-14 apiece and a third Kilkenny point from Martin Comerford with five minutes remaining put them in front.
With three minutes remaining Rory Jacob squared it up again before Carey, on for Jimmy Coogan, neatly flicked over. But in the third minute of injury time the other Jacob, Michael, had the last word with his wonderfully executed goal from a difficult angle, which sent the Wexford support among the 27,000-strong crowd into raptures.
Afterwards Wexford veteran Larry Murphy, who came on to tumultuous cheers fifteen minutes into the second half, said: “Sure it’s unbelievable. We’ve been beaten before by a last minute goal so we know what it’s like to be in Kilkenny’s place. They’ll be back I’m sure…but it’s a tremendous result for us. We’ve answered a lot of critics with this, and I’m delighted for John Conran (Wexford manager). Hopefully we can go on and build on this.”
Filed by Barry J Whyte
