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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Wexford vs Kilkenny, Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final

The sides met on Sunday afternoon at Innovate Wexford Park.

Hello! And welcome to our live coverage of today’s Allianz Hurling League Division One semi-final between Wexford and Kilkenny.

It promises to be another enticing encounter between these two rivals and indeed it is the second time Brian Cody and Davy Fitzgerald will have faced off in the last three weeks alone.

Today’s hosts came out on top in that dramatic Walsh Cup final which resorted to a free-taking competition at Nolan Park to pick a winner, however the Cats succeeded in exacting revenge three weeks ago in Round 5 of the league.

Kilkenny haven’t made it to the Allianz Hurling League final decider since 2014, but you have to all the way back to 1993 the last time Wexford did the same — and 1973 since they last claimed the league title.

News has filtered through that today’s game has been deferred for 15 minutes, with a new throw-in time of 2.15pm.

Slightly cloudy at Innovate Wexford Park this afternoon but apart from that conditions appear ideal. Half an hour to go before we get underway.

A general view of Innovate Wexford Park before the game Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Today’s teams line out as follows:

Wexford:

1. Mark Fanning

17. Willie Devereux
3. Liam Ryan
4. Simon Donohue

5. Paudie Foley
6. Matthew O’Hanlon
7. Dee O’Keeffe

8. Kevin Foley
9. Shaun Murphy

10. Jack O’Connor
11. Conor McDonald
12. Lee Chin

22. Aidan Nolan
14. Rory O’Connor
15. Paul Morris

Kilkenny:

1. Eoin Murphy

2. Joey Holden
3. Padraig Walsh
4. Paddy Deegan

5. Conor Delaney
6. Cillian Buckley
7. Enda Morrissey

8. Richie Leahy
9. James Maher

10. Martin Keoghan
11. TJ Reid
12. John Donnelly

13. Ger Aylward
14. Walter Walsh
15. Bill Sheehan

Right then, with 15 minutes to go how do we see this one going? Let us know below.


Poll Results:

Kilkenny (271)
Wexford (264)

Due to Roscommon and Cavan’s Division 2 final clash at HQ this afternoon, today’s game will not be televised. However you can watch it live on TG4′s YouTube channel by following this link. 

Two late changes from Davy Fitzgerald sees Willie Devereux in for Damien Reck at corner back and David Dunne replaced by Aidan Nolan at corner forward. Five minutes to go before we get started.

Throw-in: We’re underway!

Wexford 0-1 Kilkenny 0-0

1 min — Rory O’Connor gets us up and running with a free from close range to give Wexford the lead inside the opening minute.

Wexford 0-1 Kilkenny 0-1

3 min — TJ Reid levels proceedings with a fine free from distance. A fine strike indeed.

Wexford 0-2 Kilkenny 0-1

4 mins — Rory O’Connor with his second pointed free, this time from a bit further out at the 40 yard mark. Three scores inside four minutes and all from frees as Wexford regain the lead.

PENALTY! Rory O’Connor is dragged down inside the area and the hosts have a penalty.

GOAL! AIDAN NOLAN SCORES FOR WEXFORD

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-1

7 mins — Aidan Nolan strikes it well but it takes a big touch from Eoin Murphy’s hurl on the way in. It so very nearly was a save but a fine goal nevertheless from the penalty spot as Wexford take a four point lead.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-2

9 mins — A hectic period of play sees Kilkenny rage against their early oppressors, work the ball up the pitch patiently, and be rewarded with a fine point from TJ Reid to cut the deficit to three.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-3

10 mins — A fine score via John Donnelly from half-forward cuts it to two points, as Brian Cody’s men rally with two quick scores in succession.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-4

12 mins — And another. Bill Sheenan finds a pocket of space to take advantage of, dribbles across the face of before firing a fine left-sided strike flying between the posts. A one point game now.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-4

16 mins — Damien Reck has been brought on for Wexford in place of Willie Devereux, who he himself was a late replacement at corner back. The defender took quite a few heavy knocks inside these opening exchanges and is brought off to receive treatment.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-5

17 mins — Enda Morrissey strikes high and mighty and it flies over to a fine applause inside the ground. We’re all level, with Wexford yet to score in 10 minutes now.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-6

18 mins — Eoin Murphy follows that up with a fine free, and Kilkenny take the lead.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-7

19 mins — And another free. This time it’s TJ Reid and it goes over. Two point lead for Kilkenny, with Wexford not having registered a single score since that 7th minute penalty courtesy of Aidan Nolan.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-8

21 mins — Rory O’Connor with a great chance to break away with oceans of space in front of him. His attempt to scoop the ball up failed however, with Kilkenny regaining possession only for John Donnelly to point.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-8

23 mins — A free is hit wide by Paudie Foley to the audible surprise of all inside the ground. It’s now been over 16 minutes since his side have registered a score. Kilkenny counter at the other end and very nearly bag a goal, only for a fantastic save by Mark Fanning for Wexford.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-10

25 mins — A superb score from Richie Leahy extends Kilkenny’s lead to four points; their eighth score in a row. After that TJ Reid knocks over a free to make it five between the sides.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-11

27 mins — Cillian Buckley with a terrific point from distance. He got so much power behind the strike, which sent it sailing over Eoin Murphy’s head and over the crossbar.

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 0-12

29 mins — TJ Reid knocks another free over from the lefthand touchline; that’s seven points in the difference now.

GOAL! WALTER WALSH SCORES FOR KILKENNY

Wexford 1-2 Kilkenny 1-12

31 mins — Goodness me. It’s another wide for Wexford just when it looked like they would put this dizzy spell behind them, only for Kilkenny to counter at quick speed, bring the ball into the box and see Walter Walsh slip the ball past Mark Fanning for a fine goal.

Wexford 1-3 Kilkenny 1-12

33 mins — Wexford get their first score in over 25 minutes. Rory O’Connor strikes a fine free over from 50 metres out.

Wexford 1-3 Kilkenny 1-13

34 mins — Ger Aylward goes up the other end and with determination and skill knocks his first score of the evening over the bar, re-establishing his side’s lead to 10 points as we approach half-time.

Wexford 1-4 Kilkenny 1-13

35 mins — Enda Morrissey is shown a yellow card and Rory O’Connor succeeds in sweeping over the resulting free for Wexford. That’s better from Davy Fitz’s side towards the end of the half following what can only be deemed a dreadful spell.

Wexford 1-5 Kilkenny 1-13

37 mins — Rory O’Connor knocks over another free in stoppage time and Kilkenny almost grab their second goal at the other end following a goal-line scramble. A hectic end to the half.

HALF-TIME: WEXFORD 1-5 KILKENNY 1-13

SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway!

Wexford 1-6 Kilkenny 1-13

36 mins — An early wide from Kilkenny sees a chance go amiss. A rare miss from TJ Reid, before Ciaran McDonald capitalises at the other end with a score which reignites the electric atmosphere inside the ground. A cracking occasion it has to be said.

Wexford 1-7 Kilkenny 1-13

37 mins — And another score for the hosts. Rory O’Connor slams another one over and Wexford have started this second half in fine fashion. They cut the deficit to six points and have laid down an early marker.

Wexford 1-8 Kilkenny 1-14

37 mins — TJ Reid, 66 metres out from goal, stems the tide and pucks a fine free over. At the other end O’Connor responds with a score of his own. End-to-end at the moment.

GOAL! CONOR MCDONALD SCORES FOR WEXFORD

Wexford 2-8 Kilkenny 1-14

38 mins — What a goal! Wexford are unstoppable right now, with Conor McDonald slamming a fine strike beyond the reach of Eoin Murphy. What an electric start to the second half.

Wexford 2-8 Kilkenny 1-15

41 mins — TJ Reid pucks another free over from the right-hand side for Kilkenny. Four points between the teams now.

Wexford 2-9 Kilkenny 1-15

42 mins — O’Connor with a free of his own. There’s just three points in it now; what a rally this has been from the hosts. Davy Fitz’s half-time speech must have been absolutely immense, because this is a completely different Wexford team which has come out after the interval.

Wexford 2-9 Kilkenny 1-15

45 mins — Kevin Foley is brought down in the area and it’s a free to Wexford, however from within striking distance Rory O’Connor surprisingly misses the target. A poor miss.

It’s been an epic affair so far.

Cillian Buckley and Lee Chin Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Joey Holden tackles Paul Morris

Lee Chin and Conor Delaney

Wexford 2-9 Kilkenny 1-17

49 mins — TJ Reid strikes a free between the posts and over. This dramatic, hectic period of play has somewhat subsided as both sides temporarily catch their breath. A few sloppy wide from both sides, but Walter Walsh adds another for the Cats and there’s five points in it now.

Wexford 2-9 Kilkenny 1-17

50 mins — A switch for the hosts as Harry Kehoe is summoned from the bench to replace Paul Morris at corner forward.

Wexford 2-9 Kilkenny 1-18

52 mins — TJ Reid slots another free over from close range. A change for the visitors as Conor Fogarty replaces James Maher.

Wexford 2-10 Kilkenny 1-19

55 mins — Shaun Murphy finds a pocket of space in the middle of the park, sets himself up with no marker in sight and sends a decent score flying over. At the other end Kilkenny respond via Martin Keoghan, who points to keep their six lead in-tact.

Wexford 2-10 Kilkenny 1-20

56 mins — TJ Reid with another free, this time from 20 yards out. There’s seven points in it with a little under fifteen minutes remaining.

Wexford 2-11 Kilkenny 1-20

57 mins — Rory O’Connor matches that score with a free of his own. Simon Donohue was previously shown a yellow card for his foul on Ger Aylaward a few moments before.

Wexford 2-12 Kilkenny 1-21

60 mins — Now, Diarmuid O’Keeffe is shown a yellow too. He swung his hurl dangerously behind, and TJ Reid slots over the resulting free. The crowd inside Innovate Wexford Park are growing slightly quieter with each Kilkenny score. At the other end, O’Connor pucks a free over to cut the difference to six.

Wexford 2-12 Kilkenny 1-22

63 mins — Reid scores from play, and a fine score it was. Leaving his marker trailing behind him he went in search of space. 30 yards out from goal he shortened his grip and pucked over well on his left.

Wexford 2-14 Kilkenny 1-25

68 mins — Lester Ryan is sent on by Brian Cody in place of Richie Leahy. Right after his introduction Ger Alyward adds another score. He took possession inside the box, tried his best to find an opening to test Mark Fanning in goal, but opted to puck over comfortably instead.

Wexford 2-14 Kilkenny 1-27

70 mins — TJ Reid pucks over a free, before he knocks over another from play just on the edge of the area. Just stoppage time to come, with three minutes added on.

Wexford 2-15 Kilkenny 1-27

72 mins — Second half introduction Harry Kehoe very nearly almost lobs Eoin Murphy with a dipping shot which comes close to dropping into the net. But Murphy extends his hurl and pops it over the bar for a point.

FULL-TIME: WEXFORD 2-15 KILKENNY 1-27

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