Minors make no impression
Kilkenny coast to easy victory in first round mis-match
THE WEXFORD Minor hurlers will be glad of the second chance afforded by the back door qualifiers after crashing to a disappointing and comprehensive defeat at the hands of old rivals Kilkenny in this Electric Ireland Leinster championship first round clash in Nowlan Park on Saturday.
In fact, that was probably the only positive to take from a worryingly one-sided encounter as the outclassed visitors mustered just three points from play over the hour.
In stark contrast, all eight of the Kilkenny first 15 from midfield right through the six forwards hit the target in a game that was effectively ended as a contest in the 36th minute when classy wing-forward Adrian Mullen grabbed a delivery from the left by Niall Brennan at the far post and slammed a powerful low shot to James Henebery’s net.
That goal extended the home side’s lead to 1-12 to 0-6, and they completely controlled the remainder of a generally dull match that never really sparked to life because of the clear gulf between the sides.
Ten months ago the same venue had witnessed victories for the Wexford North and South Under-17 teams in the inaugural Celtic Challenge finals, albeit in Divisions 2 and 3 rather than the top flight which saw Kilkenny South go down in the decider to Offaly.
Six of that Wexford South crew plus five from the North saw some action on Saturday, while goalkeeper James Henebery, defenders Conor Scallan and Michael Codd, and midfielder Sam Wall had already lined out in last year’s Minor championship, with team captain Eoin O’Leary an unused substitute.
It all added up to suggest there was potential within the ranks, but a rude awakening was in store as a Kilkenny side backboned by their St. Kieran’s and Kilkenny C.B.S. contingents strolled to success.
The winners also had a familiar face on the sideline as Mullinavat’s Declan Wall, former player and current teacher in Good Counsel, was a selector and would have been particularly au fait with Gavin Sheehan, Cathal O’Connor, Jamie Myler, Sam Wall and Seán Nolan as a result.
Another staff member in the New Ross school, Mick Purcell, was part of the Wexford backroom along with manager Eamonn Scallan, Billy Byrne and Glenmore’s Tom Mullally, and they now have a job on their hands to lift their charges ahead of their knockout clash against Offaly who beat Kildare by 1-15 to 1-9 on Saturday.
Kilkenny centre-forward Conor Heary was an injury doubt beforehand and only lasted 20 minutes, but that didn’t stop him soloing away for the opening point direct from the throw-in.
Wexford were totally reliant on free-taker Ross Banville for their first five scores, with the corner-forward splitting the posts after fouls on Michael Codd, Eoin Murphy (twice) and Eoin O’Leary plus an overcarrying offence by Kilkenny’s Niall Brennan.
A Kilkenny defence featuring two sons of former ace attackers in Tommy Ronan (Adrian) and Michael Carey (D.J.) gave nothing away, with diminutive wing-back Jordan Molloy a stand-out performer.
And the Noresiders also had a lot more guile in an attack where team captain Adrian Mullen was singled out as the dangerman after his exploits in helping St. Kieran’s to reach the All-Ireland final, with Michael Codd given the task of keeping tabs on the talented number ten.
Wexford only led once, after the fourth of Banville’s frees in the eleventh minute, and it was shortlived as Niall Brennan equalised when he latched on to the puck-out.
Mullen (free) and Niall Brassil then made it 0-6 to 0-4 before a fifth successful conversion from Banville drew a response from Eoin O’Shea after a Brennan handpass.
Wexford’s opening score from play finally arrived in the 22nd minute when Kyle Firman directed a dangerous low ball across goal from the right corner, with Chris Turner connecting first-time to drive it over the bar.
It was the visitors’ last score before half-time though, with Mullen leaving Kilkenny 10-6 clear at the break after adding three unanswered points from play, a ’65 and a free respectively.
The sides had shared six wides, with Wexford’s coming from Ross Banville, Kyle Firman and Eoin Murphy, while Chris Turner had swapped positions with Seán Nolan and was then replaced by Diarmuid Doyle at the interval, with the new arrival going to the edge of the square.
Murphy and Ross Cody also moved wings, but unfortunately Wexford never really rose a gallop on the re-start and it led to an all too familiar outcome.
Seán Ryan and Ted Drea added their names to the Kilkenny scoring list with points before Adrian Mullen crashed home that goal to leave nine between the sides (1-12 to 0-6).
Wexford had added three wides before midfielder Sam Wall ended 16 barren minutes with a point, but it only briefly stopped the flow as Mullen (free) and Jack Kelly registered at the other end.
Diarmuid Doyle’s outfield pass from the endline led to the third and last Wexford point from play by Kyle Firman in the 43rd minute, but Kelly was keen to add to his tally and tacked on a brace to leave Kilkenny cruising with a 1-16 to 0-8 lead.
Substitute Charlie McGuckin had an effort on goal saved by Ben Maher before two more pointed frees by Banville after fouls on Michael Codd and Jack Devereux respectively were sandwiched by an Eoin O’Shea white flag for Kilkenny.
Another scoreless Wexford period of nearly 14 minutes elapsed before Banville finished with an eight out of nine record from frees with the second-last puck of the game.
In between Mullen (play and free) plus Niall Brassil (free) had added to the Kilkenny tally, while Diarmuid Doyle tried hard to grab a consolation goal but his shot was blocked for a ’65.
Cathal O’Connor moved to midfield in a direct swap with Eoin O’Leary, but Wexford were beaten in too many positions all over the park to trouble the victors in any way.
Good Counsel duo Jim Ryan and Richie Hennessy were introduced for the black and ambers, with the former happily fully recovered from the injury which led to the abandonment of their Leinster semi-final against Kilkenny C.B.S. earlier in the year.
There’s no more second chances for Wexford after this setback, with their next clash at the quarter-final stage against Offaly down for decision on April 29.