Leinster SHC- Kilkenny blast their way to emphatic victory over Antrim

A first half hat-trick from Mossy Keoghan laid the platform as Kilkenny claimed a 17 point victory over Antrim at Corrigan Park in Belfast.

The Round 3 Leinster Championship tie looked a possible banana skin on paper but that threat was quickly put to bed when the Cats led 1-2 to 0-0 after only five minutes.

Keoghan was one of three Kilkenny changes from the draw with Galway and he was part of a forward line that ran riot in the first half in particular.

As well as Keoghan, TJ Reid also netted goals with one in each half and the goal tally felt extra significant after Kilkenny shot a blank in their previous two games.

By half-time Kilkenny led 4-16 to 1-7 and the game was essentially over as a contest and while Neil McManus and Conor Johnston struck quickfire second half goals to add to Keelan Molloy's first half effort, it was still only a brief rally as the Cats cruised to the finish with Walter Walsh and Richie Hogan both returning from injury before the end.

The Leinster Championship now takes a two week break and with two wins and a draw in the bag, Derek Lyng's men look in prime position to secure a place in next month's provincial final.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- TJ Reid (2-10, six frees and two '65's), Martin Keoghan (3-2), Billy Ryan (0-4), Eoin Cody, Alan Murphy (0-3 each), Adrian Mullen, Walter Walsh (0-2 each), Eoin Murphy (0-1, one free), Richie Reid, Cillian Buckley, David Blanchfield, Tom Phelan (0-1 each)

Antrim- Conal Cunning (0-8, six frees and one '65),  Keelan Molloy (1-2), Niall McKenna (0-4), Neil McManus (1-1), Conor Johnston (1-0), James McNaughton, Paul Boyle (0-2 each), Gerard Walsh (0-1)

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Adrian Mullen, Alan Murphy; Tom Phelan, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody. 

Subs- Padraig Walsh for T.Walsh 42 mins, Cillian Buckley for A.Murphy 48 mins, Walter Walsh for Phelan 54 mins, Richie Hogan for Mullen 60 mins, Niall Brennan for Keoghan 64 mins.

Antrim- Ryan Elliott; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Niall O'Connor; Gerard Walsh, Paul Boyle, Conal Bohill; James McNaughton, Michael Bradley; Keelan Molloy, Conal Cunning, Niall McKenna; Conor Johnston, Neil McManus, Rian McMullan.

Subs- Stephen Rooney for Bradley 34 mins, Eoin O'Neill for McManus 52 mins, Domhnall Nugent for McMullan 55 mins, Caolan McKernan for Walsh 57 mins, Seamie McAuley for Molloy 63 mins.

Referee- Shane Hynes (Galway)