Leinster Under-21 HC Semi-finals/Wexford 0-15 Kilkenny 2-13: Eoin Larkin's 48th-minute goal proved decisive as reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny eventually shook off a splendid Wexford challenge in this thrilling Leinster under-21 hurling semi-final at Wexford Park last evening.

When Wexford led by two points at half-time and stretched their lead minutes after the restart through a Stephen Nolan free, the champions looked in trouble, but the accuracy of Larkin saw them through after a real battle.

Wexford started well, mainly thanks to the scoring exploits of Stephen Nolan and a solid defence that gave the highly rated Kilkenny attack little room.

Larkin and Pierce White exchanged points in the opening two minutes, and there was little between the sides during the opening quarter, at the end of which the score was 0-3 each.

Larkin pointed the champions back in front on 18 minutes, and two minutes later Willie O'Dwyer ran at the Wexford defence and his lay-off was finished to the net by James Fitzpatrick.

Wexford fought back, Nolan striking five superb points while Kilkenny could manage only a Larkin pointed free and a point from Eoin Reid, and led 0-11 to 1-6 at the break.

Wexford scrapped for every ball and, with Nolan punishing every lapse in the visitors' defence, led 0-14 to 1-10 at the end of the third quarter. It took Larkin's goal - he finished a rebound after his 21-metre free had been saved - to change the course of the game.

Wexford had a goal chance minutes later but Nolan's 21-metre free flew over the bar, and though they laid siege to the Kilkenny goal in the closing minutes, Kilkenny held out.

KILKENNY: D Fogarty; D Cody, J Tennyson, P Holden; J Dalton, P J Delaney, S Maher; M Fennelly, E O'Gorman; W O'Dwyer, E Larkin (1-7, 6f), R Power; E Reid (0-2), M Rice (0-2), J Fitzpatrick (1-1). Subs: C Hoyne (0-1) for Cody, D McCormack for Fitzpatrick.

WEXFORD: D Flynn; J Roche, B Kenny, A Kavanagh; J Tonks, C Kenny, R Kehoe; C Breen, M Heffernan; P Doran, M Doyle (0-1), J Berry (0-1); P White (0-1), S Nolan (0-9, 7f), M Kelly (0-3). Subs: D Foran for White; PJ Nolan for Berry.

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).