LEINSTER IHC Final/Kilkenny 3-17 Wexford 1-10: Kilkenny shook off Wexford's determined challenge with a late scoring flourish to successfully defend their Leinster Intermediate Hurling title at Wexford Park yesterday.

Kilkenny trailed by 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes of play withPierce White pointing two Wexford frees, while Ger Coleman added a point from play with the visitor's reply coming from Eddie Walsh.

Michael Grace had reduced the deficit, and then minutes later he cut open the home defence with a great run before placing in Jamie Power for a goal, which left Kilkenny leading by 1-2 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.

In the second quarter Wexford could only manage a solitary White pointed free, as points from Power, Walsh, Grace and two from David Buggy sent the reigning champions in with a 1-7 to 0-4 interval lead.

However, on the resumption Wexford gave brief hope of a recovery when Marty Kelly pointed, while Joey Lawlor fired home a goal after 34 minutes to reduce the deficit to two points.

In the final quarter, Kilkenny pulled clear with a Buggy goal leading the way. They followed with a string of points to lead 2-13 to 1-10, entering the closing five minute. They sealed it with a Eoin McGrath goal and a point.

KILKENNY: R O'Neill; C O'Neill, S Lanigan, P Costello; S Kealy, J Costello, J O'Neill; R Power, C Herity; D Buggy (1-5, 0-4 frees), B Phelan, E Walsh (0-3); M Grace (0-6), J Power (1-2), D Mackey. Subs: E McGrath (1-1) for Mackey; J Phelan for B Phelan.

WEXFORD: D Flynn, T Furlong, P Ryan, T Hawkins, K Kavanagh, M Heffernan, C Kenny, M Doyle, C Dempsey, P White (0-6, frees), J Breen, D Mythen (0-2), J Lawlor (1-0), G Coleman (0-1), M Kelly (0-1). Subs: J O'Connor for Furlong; M Cash for Dempsey; R Flynn for Cash.

Referee: A Stapleton (Laois).