Super-sub JJ Twamley was the hero of the hour as Wexford knocked reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny out of the under-20 hurling championship.
The Naomh Eanna forward changed the game with a sensational 55th minute goal which, for a finish, was the difference between the teams.
Having been subbed on, only to be subbed off against Westmeath last time out, Twamley great character to bounce back on Wednesday, and his manager Keith Rossiter was full of praise.
“It’s a story about JJ to be honest with you,” said the Oulart-the-Ballagh legend after the game.
“He started against Kilkenny and against Dublin, didn’t start against Galway or Westmeath and we brought him on against Westmeath and then took him off again.
“So fair character from that man to come on today in the last fifteen minutes and to get the goal for us to win it.”
With Kilkenny weakened by the loss of their injured talisman Billy Drennan, Wexford capitalised and they were deserving of their 1-18 to 2-13 victory.
Watch Twamley’s goal below.
#KIKvWEX 55 nóim@KilkennyCLG 2-10@OfficialWexGAA 1-15
An chéad cúl ag Loch Garman 🙌
What a score from JJ Twamley!
Beo / Live ar https://t.co/eYN4LFmvNb…#GAABEO | #LeinsterGAA | #GAA pic.twitter.com/ASiq4WEqyq
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 10, 2023
TG4’s man-for-all-seasons Micheál Ó Domhnaill caught up with Twamley after the game, and his interview was just as memorable as his cameo on the field.
“Today was all about all about a performance. It was close enough there in that Westmeath game, it was fucking tit-for-tat, Westmeath are very good like,” he said.
“And today, it was just about coming out here to perform. I came on, just as a sub, it’s important to make an impact when you come on, and I suppose I done that there today.
“As an inside forward, I wanted to go for the goal. I was a bit jittery there but it broke for me, I went for it, I came in then and fortunately it went into the goal.”
“Today, just fucking went for it, and delighted it went in. delighted. It means so much,” he added.
There were no apologies for any offence that may have been caused by the curses, many viewers were glad to see.
#KIKvWEX Lánama
Comhghairdeas le JJ Twamley Laoch na hImeartha inniu agus é tuilte go maith aige
"I came on just as a sub, it's important to make an impact"
Beo / Live ar https://t.co/eYN4LFmvNb…#GAABEO | #LeinsterGAA | #GAA pic.twitter.com/jMpXb2HpY6
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 10, 2023
Meanwhile, Offaly defeated Dublin in the other semi-final which sets up a Model-Faithful final next Wednesday night.
Elsewhere, Wexford manager Rossiter praised his men for lifting the mood in the county, after their seniors’ loss to Dublin at the weekend.
“It’s massive. The seniors came in for a bit of criticism the last few days which I think is not deserved at all. They had plenty of chances to score against Dublin to beat them, so it’s great for us to come down and give the county a lift. But look, we know the job’s not done. We’ve to come back and lift it again.”
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