Jack O'Connor, Wexford, and Jordan Molloy, Kilkenny, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division One Group A
Kilkenny 2-16 Wexford 2-16
Kilkenny and Wexford played out a thrilling draw that kept the 8,224 in attendance on the edge of their seat throughout this Allianz League Division 1A opener at UPMC Nowlan Park.
It was the story of the two benches in many ways as Billy Drennan came on as a second half substitute to net two penalties while Cian Byrne bagged a goal and Tomas Kinsella scored two fine points for the Model county, who also had Seamus Casey firing past Eoin Murphy into the O'Loughlins End of the Kilkenny county ground.
Drennan's second penalty resulted in Wexford's Damien Reck being sent off with a black and yellow card but before the Cats could look to build on their lead, Wexford struck down the other end with Cian Byrne forcing the sliotar to the net after Lee Chin originally had an effort saved.
The hosts may feel that they should have snatched victory in stoppage time when Drennan left a long range free short but that would have been incredibly harsh on a Wexford team that battled brilliantly throughout.
Kilkenny had the aid of a very strong breeze at their backs in the opening half, but they still only held a solitary four point advantage with Adrian Mullen, Billy Ryan and Martin Keoghan getting their only scores from play.
Wexford were tenacious in their work from defence and with Lee Chin converting the frees and James Byrne and Seamus Casey showing well in the full forward line, Keith Rossiter's men looked in a decent position.
Early second half scores from the midfield pairing of Kevin Blanchfield and Cian Kenny extended the Kilkenny lead out to five points but Wexford quickly got back into the game four points on the bounce before Seamus Casey pounced on a poorly directed Eoin Murphy puckout to score the first goal of the game in the 49th minute.
The introduction of Billy Drennan certainly stalled the Wexford charge with the Kilkenny youngster nailing two quickfire frees to level up matters before he then converted the first of two penalties on the back of Martin Keoghan being brought down in the square.
A chaotic final quarter then followed and although Tomas Kinsella edged Wexford ahead in the 66th minute, it didn't last long as Adrian Mullen quickly responded with his second effort of the afternoon.
Drennan and Cian Byrne then shared late goals before Drennan again had a chance to seal the win, but his free from just inside the Wexford 65 fell short and both teams had to be content with a point apiece.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Billy Drennan 2-3 (2-0 penalties, 3fs), Eoin Cody 0-7 (5fs, 1 '65), Adrian Mullen 0-2, Billy Ryan, Kevin Blanchfield, Martin Keoghan, and Cian Kenny 0-1 each.
Scorers for Wexford: Seamus Casey 1-2, Cian Byrne 1-1, Lee Chin 0-4 (4fs), Tomas Kinsella, Cian Molloy, and Conor Foley 0-2 each, Corey Byrne Dunbar, James Byrne, and Kevin Foley 0-1 each.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Padraic Moylan, Darragh Corcoran, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Jordan Molloy; Cian Kenny, Kevin Blanchfield; Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody, Conor Heary; Billy Ryan, Harry Shine, Martin Keoghan.
Subs: Conor Fogarty for Blanchfield (47), Billy Drennan for Shine (48), Cillian Buckley for Kenny (65), Mikey Carey for Reid (71).
Wexford- Mark Fanning; Niall Murphy, Conor Foley, Eoin Ryan; Charlie McGuckin, Damien Reck, Conor Hearne; Corey Byrne Dunbar, Cian Molloy; Jack O'Connor, Lee Chin, Kevin Foley; James Byrne, Richie Lawlor, Seamus Casey.
Subs: Shane Reck for Hearne (40), Tomas Kinsella for O'Connor (45), Cian Byrne for Byrne Dunbar (55), Simon Donohoe for K Foley (60), Cathal Dunbar for J Byrne (63).
Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)
