'I’ll take it' - Rossiter hails Wexford fight as Kilkenny made to settle for draw
HALTED: Wexford’s James Byrne is tackled by David Blanchfield in Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1 tie at UPMC Nowlan Park.
Lively Wexford were down but were far from buried as ordinary time was completed before they pulled off a stunning rescue act to share the spoils with Kilkenny in this at times ordinary and later thrilling Division 1 National Hurling League tie in packed UPMC Nowlan Park.
The Slaneysiders continued the good times following their recent Walsh Cup success thanks to an opportunist 71st-minute goal from lively sub Cian Byrne, who bundled a loose ball from close range to the net. The driving Lee Chin forced a good save from home goalie Eoin Murphy, but when the Glenmore man failed to control the ball Byrne netted to earn the visitors a share of the spoils, much to the delight of their fans in the 8,224 strong crowd.
There was still time for one last twist in a match that started in ordinary fashion but reached white hot pace during the closing half. In the dying seconds Kilkenny’s ace marksman Billy Drennan - he scored 2-3 in a short appearance - was presented with a chance from a free. However, the Galmoy man’s effort from 55 metres into the strong wind dropped short and almost immediately the final whistle was blown.
New Wexford manager, Keith Rossiter has seen his run stretch to three wins and a draw since taking control, and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry afterwards.
“I’d settle for that if you had told me that when I took over the job that that’s how it would go,” he smiled. “It’s great for everyone, brings a buzz around training.
“I said to the lads inside, I don’t know if I’m happy with a point or not – but I am happy. Any day you come to Kilkenny and you come back with a point, I’ll take it.”
However, when asked about the crazy finish he admitted: “If they’re all going to be like that, I don’t know if I’ll last! Ah no, it was great. The fight we showed.”
The game really only came to life in the second half. Earlier the hurling was very ordinary, despite a wholehearted approach from both sides. Wind assisted Kilkenny opened with two early points from free by Eoin Cody. When Wexford replied through Lee Chin (free) and Kevin Foley the terms of a real dogfight were set.
However, from there to the rest the action simply didn’t ignite. Kilkenny built up a 0-9 to 0-5 lead by the break. That was mainly thanks to the consistent work of free taker, Eoin Cody, who helped himself to six points and he added an assist for the last score of the half from Adrian Mullen.
The home side opened the new half with a point from Cian Kenny, but Wexford never buckled.. With Chin, driving full-back Conor Foley and Corey Byrne Dunbar getting on the scoresheet they slowly but surely established a foothold in the game. Eventually a 49th goal from Seamus Casey, after Kevin Foley put the ball in the danger zone, saw them pass their opponents, 1-11 to 0-12.
Kilkenny’s big finisher, Billy Drennan, their top scorer in the League last season was barely on the field when he ignited an explosion of scores to lift his colleagues. He landed two frees to square the match in the 52nd minute.
When Martin Keoghan was fouled during a run at goal in the 53rd minute the Cats were awarded a penalty. The deadly Drennan planted the ball in the bottom right hand corner of the net (1-14 to 1-11).
An exchange of points followed before Wexford lashed over four points in-a-row per Cian Byrne, Seamus Casey, full-back Foley again and Tomás Kinsella. They were back in front and Kilkenny needed a score from Adrian Mullen to regain terms Kilkenny were awarded a second penalty in the 69th minute when Billy Ryan was tumbled in the big area. This was double trouble for Wexford as centre-back Damien Reck picked up a second booking and was dismissed. Drennan again did the business, planting the ball in the bottom corner of the net.
Normal time was completed, but Wexford, led by Chin, stormed back for Cian Byrne to save the day with his late, late goal.
The match figures showed that Wexford scored 2-12 from play, and Kilkenny a mere seven points.
What were Rossiter’s thoughts: “Yeah, we did a lot of fouling. I’ll take the plus that we kept it tight at the back but we did too much fouling. I wouldn’t be happy with the free count. That’s something we have to work on with Offaly coming to Wexford Park next weekend. But look, I’m happy.”
Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng was happy enough with the draw, but he viewed it as a lost chance.
“I was a little bit disappointed not to win,” he said of the effort from a team that included five players making their League debut.
"The most pleasing part was the character we showed. Wexford will probably feel they deserve it as well.”
B. Drennan (2-3, goals penalties, points frees); E. Cody (0-7, five frees, one 65); A. Mullen (0-2); C. Kenny, K. Blanchfield, B. Ryan, M. Keoghan (0-1 each).
: S. Casey (1-2); C. Byrne (1-1); L Chin (0-4, frees); C. Foley, C. Molloy, T. Kinsella (0-2 each); C. Byrne Dunbar, K. Foley, J. Byrne (0-1 each);
: E Murphy; P Moylan, D Corcoran, T Walsh; D Blanchfield, R Reid, J Molloy; C Kenny, K Blanchfield; A Mullen, E Cody, C Heary; B Ryan, H Shine, M Keoghan. Subs: C Fogarty for K Blanchfield 47th min; B Drennan for H Shine 48th min; C Buckley for C Kenny 65th min; M Carey for R Reid 71st min.
: M Fanning; N Murphy, C Foley, E Ryan; C McGuckin, D Reck, C Hearne; C Byrne Dunbar, C Molloy; J O’Connor, L Chin, K Foley; J Byrne, R Lawlor, S Casey. Subs: S Reck for C Hearne 40th min; T Kinsella for J O’Connor 45th min; C Byrne for C Byrne Dunbar 55th min; C Dunbar for J Byrne 63rd min; S Donohoe for K Foley 69th min.
: T Gleeson (Dublin).
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