Intermediate HC FinalWexford 0-14 Kilkenny 0-13 Wexford, powered by six senior panelists, put in a big closing quarter to dethrone defending champions Kilkenny in the Leinster intermediate hurling final at Nowlan Park last night.

It was tight at the finish when two late points from Kilkenny's Martin Phelan left the minimum between the sides.

The winners made their break for victory when Sean O'Neill shot them in front in the 44th minute, 0-11 to 0-10. The excellent Stephen Doyle added two points against one reply from Aidan Cummins to leave Wexford 0-14 to 0-11 clear five minutes from the end.

Although Phelan hit two late points, there was no denying Wexford's superiority.

The first half was a tame affair. The losers, with the help of three scores from captain Jamie Power, led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

WEXFORD: M White; A Kavanagh, D Guiney, P Roche; MJ Cooper (0-1), W Doran, E Keeling; C Kenny, K Kavanagh; S Doyle (0-4), M Byrne (0-1), MJ Furlong (0-1); S Nolan (0-5, four frees, one 65), G Coleman, S O'Neill (0-1). Subs: E Cullen (0-1) for M Byrne (half-time), N Lambert for E Keeling (55 mins).

KILKENNY: R O'Neill; S Kealy, J Costelloe, W Burke; J Dalton, A Cummins (0-1, free), N Doherty; P Cleere, E O'Gorman; M Rice (0-3), W O'Dwyer (0-2), N Doherty; J Power (0-3, one free), K Moore (0-1), M Murphy. Subs: M Grace for N Doherty (half-time), E Walsh (0-1) for J Power (36 mins), M Phelan (0-2, frees) for M Murphy (49 mins), P Sheehan for E O'Gorman (55 mins).

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).