Allianz NHL- Kilkenny fall to first league defeat in Ennis

Kilkenny suffered their first defeat in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League when losing out to Clare in a scrappy yet entertaining affair in Cusack Park.

Late scores from Aidan McCarthy, Diarmuid Ryan and Peter Duggan helped the home side overcome a Kilkenny team that were very wasteful in front of goal. The Cats hit 10 wides in the second half and they only led on one occasion over the course of the 70 minutes.

TJ Reid and Paddy Deegan both made their first appearances of the season and scored eleven points between them but Kilkenny lacked a bit of bite up front with Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody both well marshalled by the Clare defence.

Even though Mark Rodgers missed three frees inside the opening quarter, Clare maintained control with David Fitzgerald the main point getter in chief.

Kilkenny stayed in touch mainly in part to TJ Reid's excellence on frees where he scored all but one attempt and while they were level just before the break, back to back efforts from Aidan McCarthy had the Banner in front at the interval (0-11 to 0-9).

John Donnelly had a big second half display for the Cats as he scored three points from play after his introduction as a sub but the bright spots up front were few and far between for Derek Lyng's team.

Kilkenny did show their grit to draw level on two occasions but Clare always had the edge with Fitzgerald and McCarthy keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

Even without the likes of David McInerney, Tony Kelly and Shane O'Donnell, Clare were able to finish strong and despite Darragh Lohan getting sent off late on for two yellow cards, the home team held out to win by three points.

Kilkenny will now face Waterford next week where a win may be needed to assure themselves of a place in the league semi-finals.

Teams and Scorers

Clare- Aidan McCarthy (0-6, six frees), David Fitzgerald (0-6), Peter Duggan (0-2), Mark Rodgers (0-1, one free), Diarmuid Ryan, Conor Leen, David Reidy, Keith Smyth (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- TJ Reid (0-9, nine frees), John Donnelly (0-3), Paddy Deegan (0-2), Eoin Cody, David Blanchfield (0-1 each)

Clare- Eamonn Foudy; Paul Flanagan, Conor Cleary, Adam Hogan; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, Conor Leen; Cian Galvin, Darragh Lohan; David Fitzgerald, David Reidy, Peter Duggan; Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy, Keith Smyth.

Subs: Seadna Morey for Leen h-t, Rory Hayes for Hogan 38 mins, Sean Rynne for Conlon 45 mins, Shane Meehan for Rodgers 60 mins, Ross Hayes for Flanagan 68 mins.

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Richie Reid, Shane Murphy; Darragh Corcoran, Mikey Carey; Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Paddy Deegan; Cian Kenny, Eoin Cody, Harry Shine.

Subs: John Donnelly for R.Reid h-t, Gearoid Dunne for Shine 45 mins, Timmy Clifford for Kenny 58 mins.

Referee- James Owens (Wexford)