Cats tear woeful Wexford apart

ON RTÉ ONE yesterday morning they were discussing the history of cricket in Ireland and how strong it was in Kilkenny in the 19th century.

Had that state of affairs continued, Kilkenny would have been declaring at half-time in this National Hurling League semi-final in Thurles yesterday, at which point they led a hapless, hopelessly-outclassed Wexford by 2-10 to 1-3.

Certainly by the 17th minute of the second half, when they’d extended the lead to 2-17 to 1-4, team captain James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick would have been for calling it an innings, and put us all out of our misery.

Right from the start, Wexford were in trouble. With 20 seconds gone, Kilkenny centre-forward Eoin Larkin picked out the ever-dangerous Eddie Brennan with a superb ball in behind the defence; Eddie stuck up his stick, brought the ball down just outside the box, in rushed the other corner-forward, Aidan Fogarty, and Damien Fitzhenry had no chance in the Wexford net. “Just bad defending,” said Wexford manager John Meyler afterwards, and it was.

It was also superb Kilkenny hurling and set the tone for the remainder of the game. They were bigger, stronger and faster than Wexford, they were hungrier than Wexford and their first touch was sublime.

Wexford got an early goal of their own, fine catch of a Diarmuid Lyng sideline, turn and shot by full-forward Darren Stamp in acres of space. But it only served to provoke the Cats into four points, two each from ace free-taker Richie Power and ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick. Then Fogarty added a second goal before further points from Martin Comerford and Power.

That left the score 2-7 to 1-0, and as there isn’t a more ruthless team in hurling than Kilkenny when they have you by the throat, this one was in the bag.

“We never built on the goal,” said a disappointed Meyler, “A ball went into Stamp, he caught it and buried it; then we start fluttering around with it, Ben and Jerry stuff (a reference to possession-game of the famed Cork twins), throwing the ball around. We wanted to be more direct, Stamp was winning the duel at full-forward.

“At times also we needed composure on the ball, we just hadn’t got it, handpasses went astray. But look, you’ll have to admit we’ve come on a good bit.”

Hopefully John is right, and this was just an aberration from Wexford. From Kilkenny, however, no such thought. This was the reigning National League and All-Ireland champions picking up right where they left off from last year’s all-conquering season. Wexford did manage a few points just before the break, one each from midfielder Lyng (by far their best outfield player, along with wing-back Ciarán Kenny) and the disappointing Jacob brothers Rory and Michael, but each of those were negated by points from Kilkenny (a power surge by midfielder Derek Lyng, one apiece from Brennan and Power), leaving that half-time score at 2-10 to 1-3, a ten-point gap.

Even then, famed and all as they are for their comebacks over the years, Wexford hopes were hanging by a thread. Those were severed in emphatic fashion within 17 minutes of the restart. Seven more Kilkenny points were ratcheted up: centre-forward Eoin Larkin getting on the board within the first minute (the last of the Kilkenny sextet to score, though he did have a hand in the two goals and in a couple of points), against just one for Wexford, a Paul Carley free. It was over, well over, Kilkenny looking like a side very much back in the groove, already up to near championship pace.

“We’re just doing what we’re doing really, the same thing that we do most years,” said manager Cody; “Last Sunday Wexford went out and played excellently against Galway, but a game can take on a life of its own sometimes, it’s so fast, so open, like lightning really. But I’m happy enough overall.”

Why wouldn’t he be; yesterday Kilkenny played without Henry Shefflin, the reigning hurler-of-the-year — but it didn’t matter. Everywhere they were supreme, from a suffocating full-back line where Brian Hogan was immense, JJ Delaney tigerish in the corner, through John Tennyson, a tower at centre-back, flanked by two outstanding hurlers in Jackie Tyrell (how he’s matured in the last two years) and the magical Tommy Walsh.

Richie Power is a big man, well able to account for himself, but he also has all the skills, took some superb points from play and placed balls. Yes, even without their captain-in-waiting (Henry will be back for the final, Cha will almost certainly be relieved) the Kilkenny machine is kicking into the big gears, and it’s only April. Down Wexford way, they’ll probably be thinking it’s a pity they didn’t stick to that bloody cricket!

Scorers for Kilkenny: R. Power 0-9 (0-4 frees, 0-2 65’s); A. Fogarty 2-1; E. Larkin 0-3; Cha Fitzpatrick 0-3; D. Lyng 0-2; M. Comerford 0-2; E. Brennan 0-2.

Scorers for Wexford: D. Stamp 2-0; D. Lyng 0-2; P. Carley 0-2 (frees); R. Jacob, E. Quigley, M. Jacob, 0-1 each.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; N. Hickey, B. Hogan, JJ Delaney; J. Tyrell, J. Tennyson, T. Walsh; D. Lyng, W. O’Dwyer; M. Comerford, E. Larkin, R. Power; E. Brennan, J. Fitzpatrick (c), A. Fogarty. Subs: M. Kavanagh (Hickey 54); M. Murphy (Comerford 55); P. Cleere (Brennan inj. 57); J. Ryall (Walsh 61); A. Murphy (Larkin 68).

WEXFORD: D. Fitzhenry; M. Travers, D. Ruth, D. O’Connor; W. Doran, K. Rossiter, C. Kenny; K. Kavanagh, D. Lyng; M. Jacob, E. Quigley, S. Nolan; P. Carley, D. Stamp, R. Jacob. Subs: R. Kehoe (Rossiter 38); R. McCarthy (Doran 48); B. Lambert (Kavanagh inj. 48); M. Jordan (M. Jacob 52).

Referee: D. Kirwan (Cork).