Determined Kilkenny see off Dublin challenge

A solid scoring spell in either half helped Kilkenny keep a firm grip on the Leinster senior hurling title.

A run of seven points without reply before half-time, added to by six unanswered scores in the second half, proved crucial as Derek Lyng's side shook off a stubborn Dublin. The win came with a bonus; Saturday's result in UPMC Nowlan Park means the Cats are all but certain of a place in the provincial decider.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks and moved into a three-point lead inside the opening 11 minutes (0-4 to 0-1), Donal Burke doing most of the damage with three frees. The Cats looked a little sluggish in the opening stages, but began to work their way back into the fray. Mossy Keoghan and the impressive David Blanchfield led the way, the latter scoring a point before embarking on a long solo that ended with a Paddy Deegan point to level matters by the 14th minute.

The final five minutes marked a change in Kilkenny’s form as they raised the tempo and kicked on. With Blanchfield and Darragh Corcoran leading the way from the half-back line they began to dominate possession, resulting in points for Reid (0-2), Cody and Billy Ryan. Dublin ended a 14-minute barren spell with a Grogan point, but a superb score following a long burst forward from corner-back Mikey Butler ensured Derek Lyng’s side had a four-point cushion at the break (0-13 to 0-9). 

Kilkenny worked hard to stay in front after the restart, and while Dublin closed to within a point they couldn't get in front again. The key to victory came in the closing stages, when six points from TJ Reid (0-2, frees), Richie Reid, Eoin Cody, Adrian Mullen and Paddy Deegan helped them move eight points clear with little over five minutes of normal time remaining (0-24 to 0-16).

Kilkenny - TJ Reid (0-10, frees); Paddy Deegan, Tom Phelan (0-3 each); Adrian Mullen, Martin Keoghan, Eoin Cody (0-2 each); Mikey Butler, David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Billy Ryan (0-1 each); Billy Drennan (0-1, free).

Dublin - Donal Burke (0-10, 0-8 frees); Danny Sutcliffe, Mark Grogan, Dara Purcell (0-2 each); Eoghan O’Donnell, Conor Donohoe, Daire Gray, Cian Boland, Sean Currie (0-1 each).