Two important games at Wexford Park on Saturday saw Wexford’s footballers progress comfortably, but the Cats proved too much for Wexford’s hurlers.
Leinster SFC quarter-final: Wexford 1-24 Westmeath 0-15
The ultimate good start preceded a top-class attacking performance by Wexford to provide them with a comfortable win over Westmeath at Wexford Park.
Redmond Barry hit a Wexford goal after 23 seconds, and Ciaran Lyng fired over seven points to help them to notch-up a scoreline of 1-12 to 0-9 at the break.
Dessie Dolan hit four for Westmeath, but even his pace and agility was no match for the combined force of the home side.
Jason Ryan will have been encouraged by his men’s performance: Lyng finished with 10 points, seven of them from play, and Ben Brosnan did his bit by contributing seven to the final tally.
Leinster SHC semi-final: Wexford 1-15 Kilkenny 1-26
An old star returned to the Kilkenny fold on Saturday evening in the form of Henry Shefflin. He joined a powerful, new-look Cats line-up with four players enjoying Championship debuts.
In the first half Shefflin, away through injury for nine months, made his mark by putting six placed balls over the bar. The first goal of the day came from Richie Hogan after 7 minutes who shrugged off a shoulder challenge before finding the back of the net.
A Wexford free resulted in a goal for Jim Berry just before half-time. This threw the home side a lifeline and put them five points behind the visitors, but it was never going to be an easy second half for them.
Both teams came out strongly in the low, sometimes-blinding sunlight, going point for point for the first few minutes.
And then Kilkenny took control.
Shefflin continued to build on his tally of placed balls, with little mistakes by Wexford giving him plenty of opportunity for target practice.
Michael Fennelly powered forward with a great run on 47 minutes breaking away, and helping the visitors to break ahead.
Kilkenny came close to scoring on several occasions, striking the woodwork three times in the second half: at one point Richie Hogan got past three defenders only to have what would have been a brilliant goal denied by the post.
At the back there was class too, David Herrity making a magnificent flying save as the game drew to a close.
The final whistle blew. The Cats had roared their way into the final. They’ll face Dublin or Galway, and they’ll be a difficult team to beat.
Nick Bradshaw
