Allianz National Hurling League- Main Talking Points

MAIN MAN
Billy Drennan (Kilkenny)
Billy Drennan was one of four Kilkenny players given their first league start at the weekend alongside Niall Rowe, Aidan Tallis and Paul Cody and he was the one that stood out the most as he scored 1-8 including the crucial opening half goal. Last year’s Under 20 star was given his Walsh Cup bow against Offaly and Laois but this was always going to be the litmus test and he passed with flying colours.

TURNING POINT
Drennan’s opening half goal was a real defining moment in the game as it allowed the Cats to build up a decent lead early on. Antrim were proving to be very sticky opposition but with the wind at their backs in the opening period, Drennan’s well taken strike helped them build up a lead. Antrim did battle back in the second half but Kilkenny had enough in the tank to see the game out in their favour.

TALKING POINT
Derek Lyng would have been quietly delighted with the result when coming back on the team bus on Saturday night. The likes of Clare and Wexford have come unstuck in Belfast in the last two seasons so it was always going to be a big banana skin on the opening day and while Kilkenny can play better, just getting a win would have been a big target. It was also the first time that Kilkenny had played competitively in Antrim since 2009 and it was a nice eye opener for last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists ahead of facing the same opposition at the same venue in the Leinster Hurling Championship in May.

WHAT NOW?
Kilkenny will face near neighbours Tipperary in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon at 1.30pm for a game that will be screened live on TG4 while Antrim also get the live treatment for their game away to Dublin in Parnell Park which throws-in after the Kilkenny and Tipp clash at 3.30pm.