Walsh Cup: Wexford set up Kilkenny showdown after first victory

Kilkenny will only need a draw in their next game to make the Walsh Cup final after theymade it two wins from two in with a straightforward victory over Laois at Rathdowney.

Buoyed by last week's win over Wexford, the O'Moore Men raced into a 0-05 to 0-02 lead, thanks to a pair of frees from Enda Rowland and PJ Scully.

The Cats began to settle though and they were ahead by five at the break thanks to a brace of goals from Billy Drennan, either side of a major for Ross King for Laois.

Kilkenny had stretched the lead out to 12 points before Gearóid Dunne found the net for their third goal, ending the game as a contest, and Derek Lyng's charges would see things out on a 3-31 to 2-21 margin.

In the day's other game Wexford picked up their first win of their campaign as they overcame Offaly by 1-20 to 2-14at Birr.

The Yellowbellies fell behind early in this contest after Oisin Kelly beat a couple of backs before burying the ball to the net.

But the visitors responded well through a brace of points from play each from Jack O'Connor and Mikie Dwyer, while Ross Banville kept the scoreboard ticking over from placed balls with six scores in the opening 35 minutes.

Wexford kept their hosts at arm's length before introducing regulars Conor McDonald and Lee Chin, with the latter delivering their goal just before the hour mark.

A late free from David Nally found its way to the net for Offaly's second goal, but it was mere consolation with the result condemning them to their second defeat in two games in the competition.

Today's two victors will meet at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Saturday evening in front of an expected bumper crowd as the Slaneysiders make use of new floodlights at the Wexford Town ground for the first time. Wexford must win or