Drennan double helps Kilkenny to big win over Laois

Billy Drennan continued his rise into the senior ranks after his two first half goals helped Kilkenny to a 3-31 to 2-21 victory over Laois in the Walsh Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng again put Drennan in from the start and the noticeably bulked up Galmoy star took his chance with aplomb as netted two fine efforts past Enda Rowland.

Lyng changed things up from the Offaly game as he handed the likes of Cian Kenny, Padraig Walsh, Walter Walsh and Mikey Butler their first starts of the year while the likes of newcomers Niall Brennan and Paul Cody had another chance to impress.

Kilkenny struggled early on as Laois went into an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead before David Blanchfield eventually got the Cats off the mark in the 6th minute.

The O'Moore County comtinued to make the early running with goalkeeper Enda Rowland converting three first half frees while PJ Scully also knocked over a pair of sideline cuts.

Kilkenny worked their way into the game though and they led by the 21st minute after points from Drennan, Paul Cody, Cian Kenny, Niall Brennan and John Donnelly.

The game's opening goal then arrived a couple of minutes later when a long clearance from Paddy Deegan landed in the Laois danger area and Drennan pounced on the ball before neatly flicking the sliotar to the net.

Drennan's effort gave Kilkenny a five point lead but it had disappeared in the blink of an eye after Ross King took advantage of a mistake from Darren Brennan in the Kilkenny goal to shoot to an empty net.

Kilkenny finished the half in style though as Drennan found the net for a second time in the 34th minute before Blanchfield and Niall Brennan added to their tallies as the winners led 2-16 to 1-14 at the break.

Kilkenny put the game to bed in the third quarter as they got on top of their opponents and another youngster took his chance with current Under 20 player Gearoid Dunne firing in Kilkenny's third goal.

The visitors continued to knock over points at will as both sides emptied their benches and while Stephen Bergin netted late on for Laois, it was all academic as Kilkenny made it two wins from two.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Billy Drennan (2-4, 0-4f), Gearoid Dunne (1-2), John Donnelly, Paul Cody, Walter Walsh (0-4 each), Alan Murphy (0-3, 0-1f), Cian Kenny, Niall Brennan (0-3 each), David Blanchfield (0-2), Paddy Deegan, Ian Byrne (0-1 each)

Laois- PJ Scully (0-8, 0-4f and one 65), Ryan Mullaney (0-4),  Ross King, Stephen Bergin (1-0 each),  Enda Rowland (0-3, 0-3f), James Keyes (0-3), Martin Phelan, Aaron Dunphy, C Rigney (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Darren Brennan; Evan Cody, Padraig Walsh, Mikey Butler; Cillian Buckley, David Blanchfield, Des Dunne; Niall Brennan, Paddy Deegan; Cian Kenny, Paul Cody, Walter Walsh; Billy Drennan, John Donnelly, Bill Sheehan.

Subs- Gearoid Dunne for Sheehan (h-t), Alan Murphy for Kenny (46 mins), Tom Phelan for Deegan (51 mins), Ian Byrne for Drennan (55 mins), Niall Rowe for Butler (58 mins), Niall Mullins for Buckley (59 mins), Emmet Landy for N. Brennan (65 mins), Daire O'Neill for Dunne (65 mins), Shane Staunton for P. Cody (67 mins), Aidan Tallis for D.Brennan (67 mins).

Laois- Enda Rowland; Padraig Delaney, Liam O'Connell, Padraig Dunne; Donnchadh Hartnett, Ryan Mullaney, Fiachra C Fennell; James Keyes, Ross King; Jack Kelly, Willie Dunphy, Jordan Walsh; Aaron Dunphy, Martin Phelan, PJ Scully.

Subs- James Duggan for Fennell (32 mins), Liam Senior for W.Dunphy (45 mins), Stephen Bergin for Walsh (50 mins), Patrick Hyland for Phelan (58 mins), Cormac Rigney for King (63 mins).

Referee- Kevin Brady (Louth)