Holders Wexford are safely through to the semi-final stage again after this 0-23 to 0-14 victory over Kildare at Newbridge.

Conor McDonald supplied twelve points for the winners, while Gerry Keegan was on target nine times for the gallant losers. Next up for three-in-a-row-chasing Wexford is a trip to Tullamore to face Offaly in four weeks' time.

The underdogs gave a good account of themselves in the first half especially and were within two points at the short whistle, 0-9 to 0-7. McDonald's wizardry accounted for eight of his side's first-half scores and the Slaneysiders would have wind advantage upon the restart.

The sides were level on no fewer than six times during the course of the opening half-hour.

After an even start to the contest, McDonald showed his class as his fourth point of the night made it 0-4 to 0-3 in favour of the Model County with ten minutes played. At the other end, Keegan's third point levelled the scores in the twelfth minute.

Liam Power edged the Lilywhites back in front and Shane Murphy equalised after the Kildare defence did well to deny McDonald a goal. Keegan's fourth score (free) restored the hosts' advantage in the 20th minute; right on cue, McDonald equalised with his fifth.

The irrepressible Model County senior star's personal haul was soon up to 0-7 as he went on a run of three successive scores in as many minutes to propel his side into a 0-8 to 0-6 lead with seven minutes left before the break. McDonald and Keegan exchanged frees before the break.

Kildare took the fight to Wexford upon the restart and had points from Gary Johnston and Keegan either side of a Kevin Foley score before McDonald (free) made it 0-11 to 0-9 after 37 minutes. Foley left it a three-point match and McDonald tagged on another for the Model men - his tenth.

Keegan pointed a free to bring the hosts into double figures but points from substitute Cathal Dunbar and McDonald (free) left six in it with 14 minutes left as a gulf finally started to appear on the scoreboard, 0-16 to 0-10. Jack O'Connor's sublime point from distance from a sideline cut was one of the highlights of the second half and Shane Murphy fired over the victors' 20th score from a tight angle as they broke for the winning line, 0-20 to 0-12.

Kildare - competing at this level for the first time after winning the All-Ireland U21 'B' crown last year - kept going and were unfortunate when Keegan's 54th-minute penalty was saved but Peter Moran raised a few cheers in the home support with two superb consolation points to close the scoring.

Wexford - O O'Leary; S Donohoe (0-1), L Ryan, E Conroy; A Kenny, J White, J O'Connor (0-2); C Devitt, T French; P Foley, P Sutton (0-2), S Kelly; S Murphy (0-2), C McDonald (0-12, 4f), K Foley (0-2). Subs: G Bailey for T French, L McDonald for J White, C Dunbar (0-1) for S Kelly, J Cash (0-1) for A Kenny, D Pepper for S Donohoe, B Kelly for P Foley.

Kildare - P McKenna; P Kelly, D Flaherty, C Gordan; G Johnston (0-1), K Murphy, D Keane; E Dempsey, S O'Flynn; B Byrne, R Whelan, G Keegan (0-9, 8f); L Power (0-1), N Kenny, R Casey (0-1). Subs: C Egan for R Whelan, D Boyle for P Kelly, S Ryan for G Johnson, P Moran (0-2) for B Byrne, C Martin for L Power.

Referee - A Devine.

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