Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship Final

KILKENNY 1-17 WEXFORD 0-18

On a damp night at Innovate Wexford Park Kilkenny their 25th Under-20 crown, by winning this years Bord Gáis Energy Leinster Final. Both teams started slowly as the conditions required a period of adjustment. Wexford bagged the first 2 scores as they raced into an early lead. Kilkenny, operating without Senior star Adrain Mullen fought their way back to lead by 1 after 16 minutes. The the decisive moment of the half and arguably the game arrived. Shamrocks star Eoin Cody embarked on a mazy solo run along the end line before looping a shot towards goal. Wexford keeper James Lawlor appeared to lose his footing and the ball looked destined for the net. However, showing great athleticism Lawlor produced a brilliant save only to find Kilkenny Captain Evan Shefflin waiting to pounce on the rebound. When it looked the Noresiders would kick on from here Wexford rebounded finishing out the half with some fine scores from Rathnure’s Seán O’Connor to leave it 1-07 to 0-08 at the break.

The second half proved to be a yo-yo affair as both sides battled for dominance. Kilkenny looked to be easing away when half back David Blanchfield put them 5 points up. However, once again the Model County refused to give up and buoyed by their home support and some excellent free taking from Ross Banville the brought the deficit back to 2 points. Shefflin’s major in the first half remained the difference throughout and despite some late pressure in stoppage time DJ Carey’s charges held on for a well deserved victory.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Niall Brassil 0-5 (4fs), Evan Shefflin 1-2, Seán Ryan, Eoin Cody, David Blanchfield 0-2 each, James Brennan, Stephen Donnelly, Eoin O’Shea, Michael Carey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Ross Banville 0-7 (7fs), Seán O’Connor 0-3, Charlie McGuckin, Cian Fitzhenry, Chris Turner (1f) 0-2 each, Jack Reck, Conor Scallan 0-1 each.

KILKENNY: Dean Mason; James Brennan, Conor Flynn, Mikey Butler; Conor Heary, Michael Carey, David Blanchfield; Eoin O’Shea, Evan Shefflin; Stephen Donnelly, Niall Brassil, Aaron Brennan; James Bergin, Seán Ryan, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Ciarán Brennan for Bergin (41); Jack Kelly for Donnelly (54); John Dowd for O’Shea (59); Jim Ryan for A Brennan (60+5).

WEXFORD: James Lawlor; Cathal O’Connor, Eoin Molloy, Eoin O’Leary; Niall Murphy, Mike Kelly, Conor Scallan; Charlie McGuckin, Ross Banville; Seán Keane-Carroll, Connall Clancy, Jack Reck; Seán O’Connor, Diarmuid Doyle, Eoin Murphy.

Subs: Cian Fitzhenry for Keane-Carroll (5); Oran Carthy for Doyle (HT); Chris Turner for S O’Connor (54); Ben Maddock for Banville (58).