Wexford secure Leinster SHC status after coming out on top in epic battle with Kilkenny

May 28, 2023

Wexford's Liam Óg McGovern in action against Kilkenny's David Blanchfield ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Wexford held on to their Leinster senior hurling championship status after coming through an epic encounter with Kilkenny this afternoon.

It finished 4-23 to 5-18 at Chadwicks Wexford Park, where Lee Chin’s 1-10 contribution proved key for the hosts as they avoided relegation to the Joe McDonagh Cup.

Goals from Eoin Cody and Martin Koeghan had Kilkenny off to a flyer in this one, running up a six-point lead by the 12th minute, but the Slaneysiders hit back with majors of their own via talisman Chin (penalty) and Kevin Foley before the points of Chin (2) and Diarmuid O’Keeffe saw them take in a 2-11 to 2-10 lead at half-time.

The third quarter saw Liam Óg McGovern netting two goals for the Model men but those would be cancelled out by Cody netting his second and Tom Phelan raising the umpire’s green flag, leaving the visitors down by just a point with 13 minutes to go.

The electric Cody would complete his hat-trick five minutes later to put the heat on the home side and, with their Leinster SHC status on the line, they came up big down the home stretch as points from Chin (2), Cathal Dunbar from a line-ball and Oisin Foley sealed them a priceless win.

Today’s results see Kilkenny now facing Galway in the Leinster final, with Dublin through to the All-Ireland series in third place and Wexford and Antrim with their provincial status secured while Westmeath make the drop down to the Joe McDonagh Cup for 2024.


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