2 weeks Ago By Robert Cribbin
A strong second half set Kilkenny on their way as they ran out seven point winners over Wexford in the O'Neill's.com Leinster Under 20 Championship earlier this afternoon. Mark Dowling's Kilkenny oufit dealt with the incessant rain a little better than their opponents with Sean Bergin's goal giving them a bit of breathing space on the scoreboard.
The first half was very scrappy but with a big wind at their back in the second half, that suited the Noresiders with their first half tally being made up of frees from Eoghan Lyng and Aaron McEvoy as well as efforts from play by Ed McDermott and Michael Brennan. Wexford did go into the break with a slight advantage however on the back of a long distance Simon Roche free going all the way to the net as Kilkenny stopper Stephen Manogue misjudged the flight of the sliotar (1-4 to 0-5). The second period proved to be almost solely one way traffic with Wexford only registering two points in total and the only one from play arriving seconds before the final whistle.
Quickfire scores from Eoghan Lyng and Aaron McEvoy helped the Cats regain parity and while Roche and McEvoy then exchanged frees, it wasn't long till the bubble burst with the visitors reeling off 1-5 without reply. A lovely Rory Glynn score got the ball rolling before substitute Sean Bergin netted the goal that essentially ended the Wexford challenge as the James Stephens man ran upfield and linked up with Timmy Kelly before blasting home. Aaron McEvoy, Cathal Hickey and Ryan Corcoran all added on further points before the end as Kilkenny claimed a convincing success that sets them up well before next week's home affair with Dublin.
Teams and Scorers Kilkenny: Aaron McEvoy (0-6, 6fs); Sean Bergin (1-0); Eoghan Lyng (0-2, 1f); Ed McDermott, Michael Brennan, Ryan Corcoran, Cathal Hickey, Rory Glynn (0-1 each) Wexford: Simon Roche (1-2, 2fs); Dylan Purcell, Jack Nolan, David McCarthy, Jack Dunne (0-1 each) Kilkenny: Stephen Manogue (James Stephens); Timmy Kelly (Bennettsbridge), Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh), Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan); Rory Garrett (Fenians), Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge), Cathal Hickey (St Lachtain's); Tom McPhillips (Dicksboro), Darragh Vereker (Glenmore); Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan), Michael Brennan (Erin's Own), James Hughes (Bennettsbridge), Ed McDermott (James Stephens), Rory Glynn (Clara). Subs: Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon) for McDermott, 37 mins; Sean Bergin (James Stephens) for Garrett, 42 mins; Anthony Ireland Wall (Danesfort) for Hughes, 46 mins; Greg Kelly (O'Loughlin Gaels) for Brennan, 55 mins; Ryan Corcoran (Graigue Ballycallan) for Glynn, 57 mins. Wexford: Paddy Quigley; Eoin Hughes, Padraig Jones, Niall Furlong; Paidi Doyle, Charlie Roark, Ciaran Doyle; Jack Nolan, David McCarthy; Doran Daly O'Toole, Simon Roche, Jack Dunne; Eoghan Cassin, Dylan Purcell, Colin Carley.
Subs: Sean Hyland for Dunne, 44 mins; Conor Fanning for Cassin, 46 mins; Ryan Donohoe for P.Doyle, 51 mins; Jack Hennessy for McCarthy, 55 mins; Patrick Kinsella for Hughes, 57 mins. Referee: Padraig Dunne (Laois).
