Allianz NHL- Clinical Cats claim notable Limerick scalp

Kilkenny are into their second successive Allianz Hurling League Final but possibly more importantly, they claimed a first win over Limerick since the 2019 All-Ireland Semi-Final.

The Cats were in flying form with Luke Hogan, Eoin Cody and TJ Reid all finding the net in a very encouraging first half display.

That was the platform to hold out for a place in the decider but in truth the result was never in any real doubt as Limerick looked a fair bit off their normal self.

A lot of credit must go to Derek Lyng's team as predicting this final scoreline after Limerick led 1-2 to 0-0 after only five minutes of action may have looked very foolish but bar that opening spell, it was Kilkenny who were the more forceful outfit.

The one negative for the Noresiders was the red card at the start of the second half to Eoin Cody but even that was cancelled out by the dismissal of Peter Casey for a wild stroke on Kilkenny captain Paddy Deegan.

Kilkenny will be delighted with plenty of aspects of their play, noen more so than a fantastic performace from TJ Reid and how threatening in front of goal they looked.

The new faces continue to impress with Luke Hogan grabbing his first senior goal as well as Shane Murphy and Jordan Molloy but in battling displays.

It may still only be the league but after losing three finals to the Shannonsiders in the last two seasons, it's a result definitley to be cherished for all Kilkenny supporters.

The Cats will now face either Clare or Tipperary in the final in two weeks time.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- TJ Reid (1-8, seven frees and one '65), Eoin Cody, Luke Hogan (1-0 each), Billy Drennan (0-3, one free and one '65), Adrian Mullen (0-3), Billy Ryan, Cillian Buckley, Mossy Keoghan (0-1 each)

Limerick- Aaron Gillane (1-5, three frees), Seamus Flanagan (0-2, two frees) David Reidy, Cathal O'Neill (0-2 each), Diarmaid Byrnes (0-1, one free ), Donnacha O'Dalaigh, Peter Casey, Gearoid Hegarty (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Shane Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Paddy Deegan, Cillian Buckley; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody, John Donnelly; Luke Hogan, TJ Reid, Billy Ryan.

Subs: Richie Reid for Buckley h-t, Mossy Keoghan for Hogan 44 mins, Owen Wall for Ryan 50 mins, Billy Drennan for TJ Reid 59 mins, Timmy Clifford for Donnelly 68 mins, Kevin Blanchfield for Kenny 70 mins.

Limerick- Nickie Quaid; Barry Nash, Sean Finn, Aaron Costello; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Cathal O'Neill; William O'Donoghue, Cian Lynch; Gearoid Hegarty, Adam English, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Donnacha O'Dalaigh, Peter Casey.

Subs: David Reidy for English h-t, Conor Boylan for Lynch 54 mins, Seamus Flanagan for Gillane 58 mins, Mark Quinlan for Hannon 60 mins, Aidan O'Connor for Hegarty 67 mins.

Referee- James Owens (Wexford)