Carlow’s brave effort to reach a first Leinster Under-21 hurling final faltered in the final quarter of this exciting provincial semi-final at Dr Cullen Park last evening when 14 man Wexford finished the stronger side to set up a final meeting with Kilkenny.

This game turned on a three minute period between the 48th and 51st minutes. First Wexford substitute defender Conor Goff received a second yellow card. Wexford were a slender 0-9 to 0-8 ahead at the time. But with Carlow in the ascendency the ball was quickly worked down the centre of the field by Wexford and left half forward Ian Byrne found the home net. It was a score against the run of play. Wexford turned the screw for the remainder of the game, picking off some neat points as the Carlow challenge evaporated.

Carlow midfielder Séan Murphy's pace was causing problems for the Wexford defence until Byrne's goal sealed it for Wexford.

WEXFORD: B Murphy; G Foley, S O'Gorman, E Conroy; A Kenny, D O'Leary, C Heffernan; C O'Lelary, J Hobbs; G Moore (0-3, 0-2 sideline cuts), L Chin, I Byrne (1-5, 0-3 frees); J Guiney, B Carton (0-1), R Clarke (0-2, 0-1 free). Subs: C Goff for Hobbs (40 mins), N Murphy (0-1) for C O'Leary (52 mins).
CARLOW: B Treacy; D Galway, P Doyle, D Wall; D Byrne (0-1, sideline cut), J Corcoran, C Wall; S Murphy (0-2), P Coady; J M Nolan, D Dalton, M Kavanagh (0-5, frees); D Roberts, J Doyle (0-1), G Bennett. Subs: P Shaw for Bennett (36 mins), M Doyle for Shaw (60 mins).
Referee: G Quilty (Kilkenny).