In historic shoot-out
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ed to Nowlan Park up final didn’t mean ch-rivals, their minds were certainly changed by this stage!
And after Paul Morris pointed a free, a Damien Reck delivery was almost intercepted by a falling Joey Holden before the goalmouth scramble that ensued ended with Kevin Foley kicking to the net in the 66th minute (1-20 to 1-18).
It was frantic stuff thereafter, as a midfield free from Alan Murphy came back off the post and Shaun Murphy’s clearance led to an inspiring solo point from Lee Chin.
Alan Murphy rewarded a great run by Pádraig Walsh with a swift reply, only for Paul Morris to convert a free from the right sideline in the second of five added minutes.
And after Matthew O’Hanlon caught Eoin Murphy’s puck-out, Morris popped up on the far side of the field to force extra-time with a sublime strike.
Substitute Jake Firman had a glorious chance to win it at the death, but he shot right and wide from a great position before Cillian Buckley dropped an effort short and the referee called a halt (1-21 each).
Kilkenny were restored to 15 players for extra-time, but the heavy going took a great deal out of both teams which won’t have helped ahead of their more important league openers next weekend.
Walter Walsh edged the home side in front, but a brace of Morris frees left Wexford clear by 1-23 to 1-22 at the break.
Alan Murphy levelled from a free on the re-start, before another Walsh attempt was expertly controlled and cleared by Mark Fanning in a key moment.
It looked like Wexford had done enough to win when a spectacular leap by Conor McDonald saw him grab a Damien Reck delivery and drive over a point with ten seconds remaining.
However, stoppage time saw James Maher and McDonald hit shots short at either end before a rare handling error by Matthew O’Hanlon led to a free on the left that Alan Murphy nailed to ensure that dramatic shoot-out finale.
Wexford hit ten wides to Kilkenny’s six, and were awarded 21 of the game’s 35 frees.
It was exciting fare on the whole, whetting the appetites for what is already shaping up to be an engrossing year of inter-county hurling.
Wexford: Mark Fanning (0-2 frees); Simon Donohoe, Liam Ryan, Shaun Murphy (capt.); Kevin Foley (1-0); Eoin Moore (0-1), Aaron Maddock, Eanna Martin; Joe O’Connor, Aidan Nolan; Jack Guiney (0-6, 4 frees), Cathal Dunbar (0-1), Harry Kehoe (0-3); Paul Morris (0-9, 7 frees), David Dunne (0-1). Subs. - Matthew O’Hanlon for Martin, inj. (27), Damien Reck for Joe O’Connor (HT), Jack O’Connor (0-1) for Dunbar (HT), Lee Chin (0-1) for Guiney (60), Conor McDonald (0-2, 1 free) for Kehoe (62), Jake Firman for Dunne (66), Pádraig Foley for Nolan (66), Diarmuid O’Keeffe for Maddock (76), Nolan for Jack O’Connor (86), Dunne for Firman (89), Guiney for Ryan (90+2), also Conor O’Leary, Willie Devereux, Eoin Molloy, Gary Molloy, Connal Flood, Darren Byrne, Michael O’Regan, Liam Rochford, Conor Firman.
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy (0-3 frees); Joey Holden, Pádraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Enda Morrissey, Conor O’Shea, Cillian Buckley (capt.); Conor Fogarty (0-1), Ollie Walsh (0-2); Martin Keoghan (0-2), Richie Reid (0-1), Pat Lyng; Alan Murphy (1-13, 0-7 frees, 1-0 pen., 0-1 ’65), Walter Walsh (0-2), Conor Martin (0-2, 1 free). Subs. - Lester Ryan for Lyng (48), Chris Bolger for Martin (48), Conor Browne for O. Walsh (70), James Maher for Morrissey (70+3), Pat Lyng back on as 15th man for extra-time, John Walsh for Bolger (80), Martin for Keoghan (80), Tommy Walsh for Browne (HT ET), Ger Malone for Fogarty, inj. (86).
Referee: John O’Brien (Laois).