Kilkenny 2-13 Wexford 1-18
Wexford showed nerves of steel and no small amount of grit and determination when coming from behind during an all action finish to upend All-Ireland champions, Kilkenny in a thrilling Leinster U-20 hurling semi-final in UPMC Nowlan Park.
Right on the hour mark, Kilkenny senior panelist Timmy Clifford pointed to put his side in front for only the second time in the match 2-13 to 1-15.
Only seconds earlier the call went up that five minutes of additional time would be played so Wexford had time to drive on, and they produced a dashing rescue effort.
After Kilkenny missed a chance from a free to extend their lead the Slaneysiders hit back for the leveller from star man Cian Byrne after Dylan Purcell had an effort for a goal turned out for a 65.
On Wexford drove, suddenly full of energy and without fear. In the wind-up points from Corey Byrne Dunbar and Byrne sealed their place in the final against Offaly.
There was little between the teams during most of the first half after Luke Murphy (W) and Kilkenny senior panelist Gearoid Dunne swopped points during the opening two minutes. Wexford took up the running seconds later when centre-back Michael Dundon hit a lovely point from over 75 metres. From there on the visitors made most of the running, with free taker Cian Byrne making the best use of every opportunity that came his way.
Gearoid Brennan, with three points, one a free, did his best to keep Kilkenny on their opponents shoulder. When he pointed in the 15th minute there was the minimum between the teams, 0-05 to 0-04.
Minutes later Cian Byrne snapped up a loose clearance from the home defence and pointed to double their advantage, but another Dunne score left Kilkenny right on their heels.
However, Wexford produced a big finish to the half and two points from frees by Cian Byrne and a third from play by Corey Byrne Dunbar left them leaders by 0-09 to 0-05 at half-time.
Struggling Kilkenny, who were without injured senior player, Billy Drennan, made slow progress after the break. They had a narrow escape in the 40th minute when the towering Shamey O'Hagan drilled a sizzling shot wide across goal after the ball came back into play off an upright.
The hard-chasing Cats eventually caught up and passed Wexford when Gearoid Dunne hammered home a 47th minute penalty after Cillian Hackett had been fouled (1-09 to 0-11). Wexford stormed back and actually took the lead, but when they were hit for a second goal in the 52nd minute by Eoin O'Brien they found themselves behind again (2-10 to 0-15).
A brilliant goal from sub JJ Twamley won back the lead for the winners, but when Kilkenny struck for three points on the bounce from Dunne (2) and Timmy Clifford the game looked to be theirs for the taking.
Wexford and the deadly Cian Byrne had other ideas, and they stormed back to score a terrific victory.
Kilkenny: S. Manogue; P. Lennon, S. Purcell, J. Neary; J. Fitzpatrick, E. Lyng (0-01), P. Langton; B. Reid, K. Doyle (0-01); L. Connellan (0-01), T. Clifford (0-03), C. Beirne; C. Hackett, G. Dunne (1-07, goal penalty, 0-02 frees), H. Shine.
Subs – T. Dunne for H. Shine ht; I. Bolger for J. Fitzpatrick 34th min; E. Obrien (1-00) for Beirne 44th min; N. Rowe for Neary 65th min.
Wexford: D. Mahon; S. Roche, E. Whelan, D. Kehoe; C. Murphy, M. Dundon (0-02), C. Foley; S. Rowley, D. Carley; C. Byrne (0-10, five frees, one 65), C. Byrne Dunbar (0-03), J. Redmond; L. Murphy (0-01), S. O’Hagan (0-01), C. Byrne (0-01).
Subs: D. Purcell for C. Murphy 39th min; J.J. Twamley (1-00) for Cillian Byrne 41st min; D. Farrell for J. Redmond 44th min; C. Walsh for L. Murphy 58th min.
Referee: C Mooney (Dublin).
