Wexford ... 0-17 Kilkenny ... 1-6Wexford found their best form during the closing stages and hit a scoring streak which earned them a flattering victory over Kilkenny in the O'Byrne Cup at Skerughvosteen yesterday.

Unanswered points from Matty Forde (four), Darragh Breen (two), and Paddy Colfer knocked Kilkenny back as Wexford earned a shot at Offaly next weekend.

Although playing against the wind in the early stages the winners looked the better team. With two scores each from Forde and defender-turned-forward Darragh Breen, they opened up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 14 minutes.

The home side hung on grimly and with the Maher brothers, John and Paul, making fair gains up front, they actually fought back to take the lead.

A 30th-minute punched goal from Paul Maher earned the losers a 1-4 to 0-6 lead.

Wexford recovered smartly and the score from Sean Whitty earned them parity at 1-4 to 0-7 at the interval.

Early in the second half the teams traded scores and although Wexford added two points, a quick reply from Paul Maher left the minimum between the sides as the 55th minute was passed.

A quick brace of scores from Matty Forde shook Wexford out of the lethargy of their average form and suddenly they could do no wrong as they galloped away to victory.

WEXFORD: J Cooper; C Morris, R Mageean, M Gahan; R Mallon, D Murphy P Curtis; T Howlin, N Lambert; J Hudson, D Breen (0-5), S Whitty (0-1); P Carley (0-1), P Colfer (0-1), M Forde (0-8). Subs: J Hegarty (0-1) for Whitty 41 mins; R Hassey for Lambert 54; R Maguire for Morris 68.

KILKENNY: F O'Neill; L Shore, F Freyne, A Mackay; D Buggy, E Rothwell, P Mullins; M Owens, R Costello; F Purcell, J Maher (0-2), P Maher (1-2); M Grace, S Meally, B Walsh (0-1). Subs: M Duggan (0-1) for Meally 43; J Delaney for Purcell 47; A Murphy for Shore 58; E Phelan for Buggy 66.

Referee: S Carroll (Westmeath)