Cats goal scoring edge helps them to first league final since 2018

Goals in each half from Martin Keoghan and Billy Drennan saw Kilkenny overcome Cork a compelling Allianz National Hurling League Semi-Final in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Played in front of a large attendance and despite still being down a number of players, the Cats brought their A game as they defeated the Rebels in impressive fashion.

Billy Drennan again top scored for the winners with 1-13 and his expertly taken second half penalty really helped Kilkenny put the seal on the six point success.

Martin Keoghan also goaled in the opening period of a game that Kilkenny led from start to finish.

Cork can look back with some regret on the red card to full back Eoin Downey for his part in a melee on the far sideline in the 50th minute but even at that stage, Derek Lyng's men were well on top on the scoreboard.

Cork did come back into the game late on when Patrick Horgan made his first appearance since the Rebels opening round league win over All-Ireland champions Limerick and with Cian Kenny, Geraoid Dunne and Conor Fogarty all adding to Drennan's faultless record on the placed balls, a place in the final was assured.

It all builds up to a mouthwatering clash on paper with Kilkenny meeting Limerick in a repeat of last year's All-Ireland Final in a fortnight's time.

For a full report, see this week's Kilkenny People Newspaper.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Billy Drennan 1-13 (eight frees, four 65's), Martin Keoghan 1-0, Alan Murphy 0-2, John Donnelly 0-2, Conor Fogarty 0-1,  Timmy Clifford 0-1, Richie Hogan 0-1, Cian Kenny 0-1, Gearoid Dunne 0-1

 Cork- Shane Kingston 0-9 (eight frees), Patrick Horgan 0-3, (three frees), Shane Barrett 0-3, Conor Cahalane 0-2, Padraig Power 0-2, Robert Downey 0-1, Tim O'Mahony 0-1, Jack O'Connor 0-1

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Tommy Walsh, Padraig Walsh; Darragh Corcoran, Huw Lawlor, David Blanchfield; Conor Fogarty, Alan Murphy; Richie Hogan, John Donnelly, Paddy Deegan; Billy Drennan, Martin Keoghan, Timmy Clifford.

Subs- Cian Kenny for  Hogan (50 mins); Gearoid Dunne for Clifford (59 mins); Niall Brennan for A. Murphy (68 mins); Conor Delaney for  Corcoran (70 mins); Evan Cody for Butler (73 mins).

Cork-  Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Damien Cahalane; Tommy O'Connell, Ciaran Joyce, Robert Downey; Brian Roche, Ethan Twomey; Conor Cahalane, Conor Lehane, Shane Barrett; Shane Kingston, Padraig Power, Jack O'Connor.

Subs- Tim O’Mahony for Twomey (50 mins), Patrick Horgan for O’Connor (50 mins); Ger Millerick  for C.Cahalane (53 mins); Brian Hayes for Power (67 mins).

Referee- John Keenan (Wicklow)