Cork suffer defeat as Kilkenny progress to league final

Kilkenny 2-22 Cork 0-22

Kilkenny had two goals to spare over Cork in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-final at UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Sunday. The game attracted about 10,000 patrons.

In a game where Kilkenny led all through, veteran Richie Hogan opened the scoring. John Donnelly forced Patrick Collins to save well. In the 4th minute Billy Drennan pointed a free and the same player followed with a pointed '65. Drennan pointed another free with Shane Kingston replying for Cork. A foul on David Blanchfield led to another free by Drennan - 0-6 to 0-2.

Cork found it hard to make any real progress up front. In the 14th minute Shane Kingston pointed a free and Padraig Power struck a good point for Cork. Billy Drennan then pointed two rapid frees. Good play by Brian Roche led to a Shane Kingston point. Shane Barrett worked well for Conor Cahalane who sent over, as Cork closed the gap 0-8 to 0-6.

In the 21st minute, good play by the excellent Paddy Deegan led to a Martin Keoghan goal. Cork replied immediately with points from Jack O'Connor and Conor Cahalane. Alan Murphy pointed for Kilkenny after good play by John Donnelly and Billy Drennan. John Donnelly forced a '65 that Drennan converted.

Patrick Collins from a puckout found Padraig Power who sent over under pressure. Shane Kingston pointed another free, the score now standing at 1-10 to 0-10. Just when Cork were pressing hard, it was John Donnelly with two points that opened up a five point lead. Shane Kingston with two late points left just a goal between the teams at half-time - 1-12 to 0-12.

SECOND HALF

On the changeover, Alan Murphy pointed for Kilkenny. Shane Barrett kept Cork in touch. Good play by Billy Drennan led to a Tim Clifford point, as Kilkenny moved 1-14 to 0-13 clear.

Kingston with another free got the lead back to a goal. Then in the 45th minute, a foul on Billy Drennan led to a penalty that Drennan goaled.

Kilkenny moved 2-16 to 0-14 clear. Robert Downey soloed through and pointed, Patrick Horgan followed with two pointed frees as Kilkenny still held the two goal lead. The Kilkenny backs did very well.

Both sides exchanged points and by the 65th minute, the Cats led 2-19 to 0-20. The winners’ full-backline did well all through. Gearoid Dunne and Billy Drennan with late points gave the Leinster side a two goal win.

Kilkenny will now face Limerick in the final.

Cork: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig), Niall O'Leary (Castlelyons), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Damian Cahalane (St. Finbarr's), Tommy O'Connell (Midleton), Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers – 0-1), Brian Roche (Bride Rovers), Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr's), Conor Cahalane (do – 0-2), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Shane Barrett (Blarney – 0-3), Shane Kingston (Douglas - 0-9, 0-8f), Padraig Power (Blarney – 0-2), Jack O'Connor (Sarsfields – 0-1). Subs: Tim O'Mahony (Newtownshandrum – 0-1) for Ethan Twomey, Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers - 0-3, 0-1f) for Jack O'Connor, Ger Millerick (Fr O'Neill's) for Conor Cahalane, Brian Hayes (St. Finbarr's) for Padraig Power.

Referee was John Keenan (Wicklow).