National Hurling League Division One/ Kilkenny 3-26 Wexford 0-5: Thirty points! Who'd have thought Wexford would again discover a day when they offered up thanks for the rough-hewn beauty of Gaelic football.
Imagine the scene in the dressingroom yesterday as the hurling full-back line bravely drew lots to decide who would mark who. "You take Shefflin! You take DJ! You take Richie Power! And best of luck to ye all!"
If it weren't for that full-back line things could have been a lot worse but that will be thin consolation this morning. Kilkenny dismantled Wexford yesterday in cold, clinical fashion. By half-time they led by 15 points and had hardly broken sweat. By full-time they had doubled the margin and were scoring for fun. For a Wexford team whose progress has been visible it was a day best forgotten quickly.
While grounds around the country were quickly submerged beneath the biblical deluges (divine punishment, northern fundamentalists might say) Nowlan Park, well sanded and pristine, stood up just fine and by the time of the late evening throw-in the rain had moderated to a drizzle and the anticipation had swelled the crowd. They were rewarded early and often.
Considerations of the weather were banished with a little razzmatazz as Ned Quinn held Nickey Brennan's arm aloft and escorted him down the sideline to his seat to rapturous applause from the faithful.
If the GAA's president-elect recalled much the same crowd booing him when he walked the same sideline as Kilkenny manager not so long ago his gracious smile didn't betray the thought.
Then there was the curiosity of the selection. Kilkenny had to make alterations to their published line-up and this being Kilkenny that meant, among other things, the hardship of bringing in Michael Kavanagh and Henry Shefflin. For novelty, James Ryall went to midfield and PJ Ryan started in goal instead of James McGarry.
Of more solemn import locally was the absence of Brian Cody, mourning his late brother Michael whose passing was marked by a well observed minute of silence. The Kilkenny manager's absence was marked by an efficient, well-drilled display by his charges.
Kilkenny have most of their ducks in a row already.
Wexford had the temerity to score first, a fine point by Eoin Quigley waking Kilkenny like a pebble fired from a slingshot at Goliath's head. It would be half an hour before Wexford got another shot at the Kilkenny goal.
By then young Power had scooted away from Malachy Travers to kick a fine goal, and Shefflin had made a catch behind Doc O'Connor and then before netting, delivered a sidestep that would win a rosette on Come Dancing.
Those goals were decorated by a series of fine points, three from the hurl of Martin Comerford who was in the form of his life. Just as impressive was the style of the Kilkenny half-back line who snuffed out the Wexford half forwards to the point of invisibility.
A bonus for Kilkenny during this league campaign has been the discovery of Brian Barry. After several impressive seasons with UCD the Dicksboro player has been given intercounty recognition and his work-rate, intelligence and long-range free-taking make him the favourite to partner Derek Lyng come the summer. Yesterday he gave a confident exhibition of his skills which included several frees from a different postal district and a sublime score from play in each half.
When Barry was withdrawn towards the end it was only that he might bask in the appreciative applause of his countyfolk and that Kilkenny might tinker playfully with their line-up.
Consider this. When Wexford had their first wide, a long-range free from Barry Lambert after three quarters of an hour they had just two points on the board. A second later DJ scored, leaving them 20 points adrift.
The margin had increased by one when Wexford received official conformation that they were cursed. MJ Furlong slipped in behind the Kilkenny defence and found a loose ball and an acre of space. Advancing at speed he drove the ball off the stick from seven yards only for reserve goalkeeper Ryan to pull out a wonderful save.
Brian Barry hefted over another wonderful free 30 seconds later and there was a movement in the stands as folk shifted early to get back to the land of strawberries and football.
Those who remained were feline in their ruthlessness and Carey's late goal was greeted with as excited and bloodthirsty a cheer as a last-minute winner in a Leinster final.
Kilkenny play Tipperary next Saturday and yesterday's result plus the size of the margin over Wexford makes that academic. As for Wexford they have in-form Clare. Things can only get better.
KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, J Tyrell; R Mullally, P Barry, JJ Delaney; B Barry (0-8, six frees), J Ryall, M Comerford (0-4), E Larkin (0-8, five frees), T Walsh (0-2), H Shefflin (1-1), DJ Carey (1-3), R Power (1-0). Subs: B Hogan for P Barry (half-time), S Dowling for Ryall (43 mins), E McCormack for Shefflin (46 mins), J Fitzpatrick for B Barry (58 mins), J Hoyne for Comerford (64 mins).
WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D O'Connor, K Rossiter; D Ruth (0-1, from a 65), D Stamp, D Lyng; R McCarthy (0-1), D O'Brien; B Lambert, E Quigley (0-1), M Jordan; M Jacob, R Jacob, D Mythen. Subs: MJ Furlong for Lyng (21 mins), R Barry for Jacob (35 mins), N Higgins (0-1) for Jordan (35 mins), J O'Connor for Lambert (50 mins), C McGrath (0-1, free) for Mythen (55 mins).
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).
