Seconds lack spark as Cats coast home

THE WEXFORD Intermediate hurling team endured a painful lesson at the hands of arch-rivals Kilkenny in Wexford Park on June 16, 2010, losing their Leinster championship semi-final by 2-16 to 0-13.

To say it was comfortable for the visitors would be an understatement as - save for a five-minute spell in the opening half - it was clearly a game that they were never going to lose.

After Eoin Guinan pointed Kilkenny in front, they had their only period of doubt when John Roche (free), Tommy Dwyer (free) and Eoin Quigley put Wexford ahead.

They were still up by 0-5 to 0-4 early in the second quarter, but Kilkenny underlined their superiority in the approach to the interval as they moved into a 0-11 to 0-7 advantage, despite scores from Ferns St. Aidan’s pair Tommy Dwyer and Christopher O’Connor,.

While Eoin Quigley performed with flair at midfield and Kevin Kavanagh was strong in defence, Wexford never looked like mounting a strong recovery after an effort on goal by Paul Nolan was saved in the early stages on the re-start.

The home side were already struggling to stay in touch when Bill Beckett caught a Nicky Cleere delivery and drove it to the net, and the same player added a second.

Wexford: Dermot Flynn (Rathnure); John Roche (Oulart-The Ballagh, capt., 0-1 free), Kevin Kavanagh (St. Patrick’s), Barry Kehoe (Oulart-The Ballagh); John O’Connor (Rathnure), Greg Jacob (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy), Paddy Whiteley (Rathnure); Mark Molloy (St. James’), Eoin Quigley (Rapparees, 0-4); Darren Nolan (Oulart-The Ballagh), Paul Nolan (Duffry Rovers), Tommy Dwyer (Ferns St. Aidan’s, 0-3, 2 frees); M.J. Furlong (Cloughbawn), James Gahan (Ballygarrett, 0-1), Christopher O’Connor (Ferns St. Aidan’s, 0-1). Subs. - Tomás O’Leary (Buffers Alley) for D. Nolan, Eoin Moore (Oulart-The Ballagh, 0-3, 2 frees) for Furlong, Michael Doyle (Glynn-Barntown) for O’Connor, Michael O’Regan (Glynn-Barntown) for Whiteley, Jamie Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien) for O’Leary.

Kilkenny: Liam Tierney; Mark Phelan, Paul Murphy, Kieran Mooney; John Cottrell, Ray Cody, Niall Doherty; Pat Hartley, Niall Walsh (01); Bill Beckett (2-2), Richie Dollard (0-2), Nicky Cleere; Michael Grace (0-1), Peter Cleere (0-1), Eoin Guinan (0-9, 6 frees). Subs. - Eoin Murphy for Dollard, Seán O’Shea for Phelan, Noel Doherty for Grace.

Referee: Alan Lagrue (Kildare).