GAA; Kilkenny hold off Wexford challenge

Kilkenny 0-19

Wexford 0-13

Kilkenny set up a semi-final clash with Clare when they held off a second half Wexford recovery to eventually emerge with a six-point victory in the Alllianz NHL Div 1B game at Kilkenny.

Wexford seemed determined to lay down a marker in the opening 35 minutes when never more than two points separated the sides.

After Kilkenny raced into a 0-2 to 0 lead after three minutes, through Derek Lyng and Jimmy Coogan's points, Wexford were back on level terms by the twelfth minute through points from Barry Goff and Paul Codd.

Neither side created any clear-cut goal opportunities in the opening 35 minutes as the sides went on the exchange a string of points before a Paul Codd 65 left the minimum separating the sides 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval.

Wexford looked dead and buried nine minutes into the second half as Kilkenny stormed into a six-point lead 0-12 to 0-6 with Jimmy Coogan and David Buggy striking two points each.

However the home side were rocked by an amazing Wexford recovery with Paul Codd and Barry Goff striking over a string of excellent points to reduce the deficit to the minimum 0-14 to 0-13 with 13 minutes remaining.

Wexford however failed to add a further score in that closing spell, during which Kilkenny finished strongest with three Jimmy Coogan points and further points from corner forward David Buggy, ensuring their semi-final spot.