Kilkenny 0-15
Wexford 0-14
KILKENNY WILL MEET Galway in the Walsh Cup final after Brian Cody’s side secured a narrow one-point victory over Wexford in New Ross.
It’s Kilkenny’s first time to make the final of the pre-season competition since 2014, when they defeated Dublin to take the title.
Since the Model’s stunning Leinster semi-final win in 2004, they’ve now met Kilkenny 17 times across three competitions – winning just once.
But even Wexford’s eight point victory over the Cats in the 2013 Walsh Cup semi-final comes with an asterisk - it was effectively a third string Kilkenny side they defeated that day.
Cody had plenty of experience dotted around the team today, particularly in defence, where Joey Holden, Padraig Walsh, Cillian Buckley and Paul Murphy all started.
Alan Murphy, a late addition to the team, had an impressive day on frees. He scored 0-10, all from place balls, as the Cats held off a second-half revival by Wexford.
With Murphy and James Maher on target, Kilkenny led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break, before a Lee Chin-inspired Wexford fought back to level terms in the 48th minute.
Murphy nailed another couple of frees as Kilkenny moved three points in front, but three straight points from joint-captain Lee Chin left the sides level at 0-14 each with time almost up.
With extra-time beckoning, Murphy held his nerve for a final time and hit the game-winner.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Alan Murphy 0-10 (all frees), Pat Lyng 0-2, Cillian Buckley, Conor Martin and Paddy Deegan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Wexford: Lee Chin 0-9 (0-8 frees), Jack O’Connor 0-2 (0-1 sideline), Eoin M0ore, Matthew O’Hanlon and Podge Doran 0-1 each.
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