Kilkenny make it six in a row - report

Kilkenny 2-23 Wexford 2-12

Kilkenny turned on the style in the second half to create history with a record-breaking sixth provincial title in a row, with a comfortable 11-point victory over Wexford in the Leinster SHC final at Croke Park.

The opening half was tight and close rather than spectacular, with both sets of defences tying up the game.

Kilkenny shot nine wides during this spell, to Wexford’s two, with only desperate defending by the Wexford full-back line and Wexford keeper Damien Fitzhenry denying Eddie Brennan two goal chances.

Kilkenny, through the accuracy of Henry Shefflin and DJ Carey, led 0-8 to 0-5 after 34 minutes, but Wexford finished the half strongly with points from Paul Codd, Rory Jacob, and Barry Lampard, to tie the sides 0-8 apiece at the break.

The second half belonged to Kilkenny, once Eddie Brennan scored a goal within 60 seconds of the restart.

By the 70th minute, Kilkenny had cruised into a 1-17 to 1-10 lead, Wexford being given brief hope by a Barry Lampard 52nd-minute goal.

When a further Chris McGrath goal and a Paul Codd pointed free reduced the deficit to three points, 1-17 to 2-11, with eight minutes remaining, it looked set for a tense finish.

But the Kilkenny response was positive, with a Henry Shefflin goal clinching their sixth title in a row.