Walsh Cup

Wexford 1-25 Kilkenny 2-18

By Ronan Fagan at Chadwicks Wexford Park

Richie Lawlor emerged as Wexford’s hero after sinking an injury-time goal to see Darragh Egan’s charges overhaul Kilkenny in a dramatic conclusion to Saturday evening’s Walsh Cup Group 2 showdown at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

The result means that both sides remain in the hunt along with Laois to face Galway in the tournament decider – although Laois must beat Offaly on Sunday to bring it down to score-difference.

Anything else would suffice for Wexford on the head-to-head rule at the expense of Kilkenny.

Kilkenny only needed a draw to qualify, and Derek Lyng’s men looked set to at least gain that satisfaction after Billy Sheehan punished a Wexford defensive error to net and transform matters by 2-16 to 0-21 after 60 minutes.

Wexford refused to yield, and after ‘keeper James Lawlor denied Killian Doyle, the large home support amongst the near 13,000 crowd – with the venue celebrating the switching on of its new floodlights for the first time – cheered to the rafters as Lawlor netted the killer blow four minutes into added-time.

Wexford made the early running with Conor McDonald and Diarmuid O’Keeffe clipping the opening points, before Kilkenny charged ahead by 0-3 to 0-2 after eight minutes with a couple from lively centre-forward Cian Kenny.

The balance of power see-sawed throughout the opening period – the lead changing hands four times - and Wexford regained the initiative by 0-6 to 0-4 after fifteen minutes as Oisín Pepper (two) and Lee Chin kept the vociferous home support in rich voice.

The locals maintained a slight edge through a Conor Hearne double and Mikie Dwyer (0-8 to 0-7) moments before Dwyer saw his goal-bound attempt gathered comfortably by Aidan Tallis.

Poor finishing was blighting Wexford’s effort – the had seven of the ten first-half wides – and typically efficient Kilkenny turned the tables by 0-9 to 0-8 after 30 minutes as Tom Phelan and free-taker Niall Brassil obliged.

But Wexford tipped the scales back their way by half-time (0-12 to 0-10) with an unbroken chain of scores from Lee Chin (two), Conor McDonald and Charlie McGuckin, as Paddy Deegan and Brassil (free) kept Kilkenny in the hunt.

Wexford zipped 0-16 to 0-12 clear inside four minutes of the restart as Ian Carty, Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Dwyer and Richie Lawlor fired over.

However, Kilkenny were doing new boss Lyng proud as they battled back to parity with Tom Phelan gathering a neat Gearóid Dunne pass to net in the 42nd minute, before Paddy Deegan tied things up on 1-13 to 0-16.

This South East derby kept bubbling towards a riveting finish as the sides shared the next six points, before Wexford overcame messing up a gilt-edged goaling chance as McDonald and subs Corey Byrne-Dunbar and Ross Banville (free) guided them 0-21 to 1-16 in front after 59 minutes.

But a poor back-pass by Wexford defender Liam Ryan gifted Billy Sheehan a 60th minute goal to transform matters by 2-16 to 0-21 before Ian Byrne tagged on a point.

Wexford twice got back level before Killian Doyle was denied a goal prior to a free from deep by Liam Ryan finding Charlie McGuckin inside, and he released to Richie Lawlor for the vital blow, before Conor Hearne closed with a point to add the crowning glory to a momentous night for the hosts.

Earlier on Saturday afternoon Galway defeated Antrim in Darver 1-31 to 2-15 with Ja Mannion netting a goal for Henry Shefflin's team.

Scorers for Wexford: C McDonald 0-5, R Lawlor 1-1, L Chin (1f, 1 ’65), R Banville (3fs) and C Hearne 0-3 each, D O’Keeffe, O Pepper 0-2 each, D Reck, I Carty, R Lawlor, M Dwyer, C McGuckin, C Byrne-Dunbar 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilkenny: T Phelan 1-3, N Brassil 0-5 (5fs), B Sheehan 1-0, P Deegan, C Kenny, P Cody 0-2 each, S Murphy, J Donnelly, D Dunne, I Byrne, and S Walsh (f) 0-1 each.

Wexford: James Lawlor; Shane Reck, Liam Ryan, Conor Devitt; Simon Donohoe, Damien Reck, Ian Carty; Diarmuid O’Keeffe, Richie Lawlor; Mikie Dwyer, Conor Hearne, Charlie McGuckin; Oisín Pepper, Conor McDonald, Lee Chin.

Subs: Ross Banville for Chin (HT), Conor Foley for Donohoe (44), Kevin Foley for Dwyer (49), Corey Byrne-Dunbar for Pepper (49), Conall Clancy for O’Keeffe (54), David Clarke for Carty (69), Kyle Scallan for D. Reck (70+2).

Kilkenny: Aidan Tallis; Mikey Butler, Evan Cody, Niall Rowe; David Blanchfield, Pádraic Moylan, Pádraig Walsh; Paddy Deegan, Shane Murphy; Paul Cody, Cian Kenny, Tom Phelan; Gearóid Dunne, John Donnelly (0-1), Niall Brassil.

Subs: Cillian Buckley for Blanchfield (41), Cillian Doyle for Murphy (43), Shane Walsh for Dunne (49), Niall Brennan for Kenny (52), Des Dunne for Moylan (54), Ian Byrne for Phelan (58), Billy Sheehan for Brassil (59), Colum Prendiville for P. Cody (66), Niall Mullins for Donnelly (68).

Referee: Seán Stack (Dublin).