Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald will be delighted on Sunday evening as his Wexford side beat old foes Kilkenny 1-16 to 1-14 at Wexford Park. Wexford were playing into a gale into the second half but they hit late scores to win the game.
Brian Cody and his management team of former players DJ Carey, Martin Comerford and James McGarry opted once more to rest the Ballyhale and Tullaroan contingent. It was Kilkenny who made a good start with midfielder James Maher driving over a 3rd minute score from play. However, the Model County thundered into the game. Naomh Eanna club man Conor McDonald knocking over a point as did Jack O’Connor.
CúilÃn dochreidte ó @KilkennyCLG 🤩@Allianz @GAA_BEO @TG4TV #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/IF9i53FhvA
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 16, 2020
McDonald then got a Wexford goal after a long delivery from a sideline ball from Jack O’Connor, McDonald grabbed the ball and beat his marker before an overhead flick beat Darren Brennan. Reck and Paudie Foley added further points to edge them further clear. It was 1-08 to 0-02 after 23 minutes. Aidan Nolan and a couple of Paul Morris surging the Leinster champions clear. Mark Fanning had to be at his best making saves from Billy Ryan while Kevin Foley playing in the sweeper role also had to cut out goal chances. Brian Cody’s men cut the gap though with scores from Richie Hogan, John Donnelly, Walter Walsh and Glenmore’s Alan Murphy. 1-10 to 0-06 at the break.
Yikes tensions are rising! 😬@Allianz @GAA_BEO @TG4TV #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/rR9Y8jeNff
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 16, 2020
Kilkenny were now aided by the strong gale and they started to eat into the Wexford lead. Billy Ryan had a goal on 38 minutes after he got on the end of a delivery from Walter Walsh. 1-11 to 1-07 and all to play for. Martin Keoghan, Darren Brennan (free) and two scores from Richie Hogan levelled up the game. John Donnelly gave the Cats the lead then on 51 minutes, 1-12 to 1-11. Paul Morris knocked over two frees, while Jack O’Connor also pointed from play. Paddy Deegan and Alan Murphy though levelled up the game once again. Davy released all-star Dee O’Keeffe from the bench and came up trumps with a super score, before Morris made it 1-16 to 1-14.
Wexford held on for the win as they beat their near neighbours.
Wexford: Mark Fanning; Joe O’Connor, Liam Ryan, Simon Donohoe; Shaun Murphy, Pádraig Foley (0-1 free), Damien Reck (0-1); Liam Óg McGovern, Aidan Rochford; Jack O’Connor (0-3), Aidan Nolan (0-2), Kevin Foley; Cathal Dunbar, Conor McDonald (1-1), Paul Morris (0-7, 6 frees).
Subs: Rory O’Connor for Dunbar (45); Lee Chin for McGovern (45); Diarmuid O’Keeffe (0-1) for Nolan (50) Matthew O’Hanlon for Reck (65); Mikey Dwyer (Fethard) for J O’Connor (67).
Kilkenny: Darren Brennan (0-1 free); Conor Browne, Huw Lawlor, Ciarán Wallace; Conor Delaney, Paddy Deegan (0-1), Cillian Buckley; James Maher (0-1), Michael Carey; John Donnelly (0-2), Alan Murphy (0-4 frees), Martin Keoghan (0-1); Billy Ryan (1-0), Richie Hogan (0-3), Walter Walsh (0-1).
Subs: Darren Mullen for Carey (53); Bill Sheehan for Hogan (58); Michael Cody for Maher (64).
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).
