Sport

Jacob seals it for Wexford

Showing character and no little style, Wexford turned in a magnificent second half performance to fashion a two-point victory…

Thu Jul 12 2001 - 01:00

Showing character and no little style, Wexford turned in a magnificent second half performance to fashion a two-point victory over arch rivals, Kilkenny, in a spell-binding final at Wexford Park yesterday evening.

These two great rivals once again produced the type of hurling which one comes to expect, thrilling the 10,000 crowd with periods of splendid skill and commitment which saw the result go right to the wire. Indeed, Wexford substitute Rory Jacob only secured his side's victory with a 62nd minute point.

After Paul Sheehan's fourth-minute free had put Kilkenny in front, Wexford struck back for two Barry Lambert points to lead 0-2 to 0-1 after 11 minutes.

As both defences tightened up, the next score wasn't until the 20th minute - a bizarre Kilkenny goal. Wexford's goalkeeper seemed to have grasped a long delivery into the goalmouth but somehow lost control to allow corner-forward Eddie Walsh scramble the ball home.

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Paul Sheehan increased Kilkenny's lead before Wexford rallied with points from Darren Stamp and Michael Jacob, to leave the sides level, 0-5 to 1-2 at the interval.

Kilkenny regained the lead through an Aidan Fogarty point within two minutes of the restart but it was at this stage that Trevor Kelly, Darren Stamp and Nicky Lambert stamped their authority, resulting in two points from Barry Lambert to give the home side a 0-8 to 1-3 lead.

Kevin Power and Redmond Barry exchanged points, before an Aidan Fogarty 60th-minute point set up a gripping finish. Then came Jacob's marvellous score to give Wexford their first Under-21 title since 1997.

WEXFORD: M. White, N. Maguire, D. O'Connor, R. Kirwan, R. Mallon, B. McGee, T. Kelly, N. Lambert (0-1), D. Stamp (0-1), R. Barry (0-1), G. Coleman, B. Lambert (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1, 65), D. Lynch (0-1), P. Carley, M. Jacob (0-1). Subs: J.O'Connor for Carley; C. O'Loughlin for M. Jacob; R. Jacob (0-1) for N. Lambert. KILKENNY: D. Brennan, J.J. Delaney, N. Hickey, P. Shefflin, C. O'Neill, B. Hogan, J. Ryall, K. Power (0-1), C. Herity, A.Fogarty (0-2), C. Maher, P. Sheehan (0-2), B. 'Brookie' Phelan, B. Phelan, E. Walsh (1-0). Subs: K. Moore for B. Phelan; G.Byrne for Walsh. Referee: E. Morris (Dublin).