The OLDEST rivals in Leinster hurling will have to do it all over again, but this minor final produced a rattling good encounter at Croke Park yesterday.

Kilkenny possessed more craft and guile up front, with Kieran Power, Gearoid Cleere and Joey Murray showing flashes of breathtaking finishing. However, they found the going difficult against an effective Wexford back division. Kilkenny held the lead for most of the way after Kieran Rafter's seventh-minute goal gave them the edge. Even though Wexford's Michael Jacob belted home one of his own five minutes before the break, Kilkenny still went in with a 1-6 to 1-4 lead. For once, it was the Cats' profligacy in front of goal - they shot 15 wides - that prevented them from moving clear of Wexford. In the last quarter Wexford turned the screw. Their corner forward Leon O'Connell was ultra-reliable from frees, punishing Kilkenny's indiscretions. If any of the two teams looked like winning near the end it was Wexford. Yet they could not force the critical breakthrough.

Kilkenny: J Power; P Shefflin, N Hickey, C Hickey; C Herity, J Morgan, J Ryall; K Moore, H Gannon; P Sheehan (0-1), B Phelan (0-1), K Power (0-5, three frees); G Cleere (0-2), K Rafter (1-0), J Murray (0-2). Subs: A Barry for Phelan (43 mins), J Murphy for Gannon (50 mins).

Wexford: P Carley; N Maguire, D O'Connor, A Kavanagh; R Kirwan, D Stamp, J McDonald; N Lambert, M Travers; M J Furlong (0-1), G Coleman, K O'Grady (0-2); L A Griffin, M Jacob (1-1), L O'Connell (0-7, four frees). Subs: D Conway for Griffin (49 mins), A Walsh for Coleman (59 mins).

Referee: E Morris (Dublin).