Kilkenny U20 manager DJ Carey has lauded his players’ “great achievement” after last night’s Leinster final victory over Wexford.  

The young Cats halted the Model County’s bid for a clean sweep of provincial titles with a 1-17 to 0-18 win at Innovate Wexford Park, claiming an inaugural Leinster U20 crown in the process.

“At the end of the day it was a great achievement. We came down to Wexford with young lads against a county who were going for three titles,” Carey told RTE Sport.

"I thought we put in a great first-half performance against the breeze. In training we worked hard on our defensive structure, we had to hold onto the ball as much as possible in that first half.

"We went in two up at half time. Wexford came at us in the second half, they showed great spirit. I fully expected they would. They have an excellent manager in MJ Reck. Maybe we weren't quite as good in the second period."

On his team's upcoming All-Ireland semi-final, the Cats legend added: "We won't beat Cork or Tipp with that performance. Wexford won't beat them either. 

"Let's be honest, we’re now playing catch up at underage level, we have to try and get to the bar that other teams have raised." 

Follow the hoganstand.com match tracker this weekend for live coverage of Dublin v Roscommon, Cork v Tyrone, Kerry v Donegal and Mayo v Meath from the Super 8s.

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