A deflated Wexford manager John Meyler claimed Kilkenny's second half onslaught in yesterday's Leinster SHC final was like being "hit by a train". After matching Kilkenny stride for stride in the first half, Wexford had simply no answer to the All-Ireland champions' power and class in the second 35 minutes with another crushing loss being the inevitable outcome. "It's hard to take," Meyler admitted. "I was really thrilled with the guys at half-time. They'd shown great character, composure and work-rate in the first half. That's what I expected and that's what I got for 35 minutes. "But we got hit by a train in the second half and they just took us on. But I constantly say you're seeing a fantastic hurling team, a team of artists, physical athletes, a team of strength and we didn't compete in the second half. "What I've said to the players is that if we can compete in qualifiers for 70 minutes like we did in the first half, we can compete with anyone. I know a game is over 70 minutes but I've got to take positives out of it." Meyler once again expressed his admiration for Kilkenny and acknowledged that they are operating at a different level to everyone else in Leinster. "They're at a peak over the last 10 years, Shefflin and those guys. They're able to take the blows and the knocks and they're used to physical intensity having played in the last three or four All-Ireland finals, whereas we're not. "Like I know Jackie (Tyrrell) a long time, he's a corner back. Jackie comes out to midfield today and he hurls like he was never anywhere else. I'd say if you put him up corner forward, he could hurl. "We're not at that level. You know that and I know that. They're a superb team. I take my hat off to them." Tweet

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