Where now for Leinster hurling?

FOR 38 minutes in Croke Park yesterday this was a match, a real contest, as a Wexford side playing with pace and precision took the fight to Kilkenny, threatened to repeat what they had done in 2004 and win a Leinster title against all the odds.

That’s when reality struck in a ferocious five-minute spell between the 38th and 43rd minutes, during which the Cats struck 2-3 without reply and another Leinster final died its widely predicted death.

That opening 35 minutes promised so much. Even the late withdrawal of Keith Rossiter didn’t appear to hamper Wexford as they tore into the reigning champions from the first ball.