Leinster SHC- Kilkenny survive first half scare to see off Antrim

Ultimately, Kilkenny pulled away to score a handsome win over Antrim at Corrigan Park on Sunday as they broke the hosts' resistance in the final 20 minutes.

Derek Lyng's men trailed by one at the break and the gap could have been a little more, but they were in no mood to contemplate a shock as they out-scored the hosts by 2-13 to 0-1 from the 48th minute.

Eoin Cody top-scored for the Cats as he finished with 1-13 as his free-taking and ability to lead the charge from play helped get his side right on top, while Martin Keoghan's goal in the 51st minute proved a big score as it was a blow Antrim didn't recover from.

Kilkenny flew out of the traps and seemed intent in putting this game away early as Stephen Donnelly pointed seconds in and the scores flowed as Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Fionán Mackessy (free) and Paddy Deegan landed before James McNaughton got Antrim on the board from a free.

The Cats were destroying the Antrim restarts with the hosts unable to get on the ball despite playing with the wind in the opening period and three further scores from Kilkenny had them 0-8 to 0-1 up after 11 minutes with the threat of a rout on the cards.

However, Antrim found their feet as after McNaughton landed a free, Keelan Molloy pointed out on the right, followed by a monster effort by Conall Bohill.

Just three separated them when the Saffrons got their first goal when Conor Johnston did brilliantly to get on the ball in the left corner, play in McNaughton, who cracked home from the angle to level.

The Loughgiel man almost had a second goal three minutes later, only to be denied by the post, but three Eoin Cody scores seemed to settle Kilkenny once again.

McNaughton and Cody traded scores but then Antrim got a second goal in the 34th minute as Keelan Molloy got onto a long delivery and under pressure, whipped home as the hosts would take a 2-8 to 0-13 lead into the break.

The free-takers continued to trade in the second period with Cody's three to McNaughton's one before substitute Harry Shine landed for the visitors who had clearly upped the ante after the break

After McNaughton pulled one back, Nigel Elliott was through with the goal opening up, but Eoin Murphy tipped the shot over as the sides were level.

But Kilkenny completely took over after with Billy Ryan and Cian Kenny landing to ensure the starting front eight were on the board and from the restart in the 51st minute, Martin Keoghan overturned Paddy Burke and galloped through for the goal, which put his side 1-21 to 2-11 ahead.

That was the game-breaker as Antrim's resistance was broken as Kilkenny ultimately went 1-12 without reply as Mikey Butler and Tommy Walsh added their names to the board.

McNaughton finally ended a barren 25 minutes for Antrim in added time, but Kilkenny finished with a flourish as Billy Drennan pointed and with the last act of the game, Eoin Cody went for and got the goal from a free to put the cap on a fine second-half display and victory for the Cats.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny: Eoin Cody 1-13 (1-9fs), Martin Keoghan 1-2, Stephen Donnelly 0-3, Cian Kenny 0-2, Jordan Molloy 0-2, Paddy Deegan 0-1, John Donnelly 0-1, Fionan Mackessy 0-1 (1f), Harry Shine 0-1, Billy Ryan 0-1, Tommy Walsh 0-1, Mikey Butler 0-1, Billy Drennan 0-1

Antrim: James McNaughton 1-9 (9fs), Keelan Molloy 1-1, Conal Bohill 0-1, Nigel Elliott 0-1

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; Mikey Carey, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Fionán Mackessy, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Stephen Donnelly, Martin Keoghan, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Harry Shine for F Mackessy (40), Luke Hogan for S Donnelly (64), Billy Drennan for J Donnelly (67), Killian Doyle for M Carey (67), Eoghan Lyng for C Kenny (70).

Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Niall O'Connor, Paddy Burke; Conor Boyd, Joe Maskey, Conal Bohill; Eoghan Campbell, Gerard Walsh; Keelan Molloy, Nigel Elliott, Scott Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston.

Subs: Cormac McKeown for C Johnston (HT), Sean McKay for R McCambridge (52), Joseph McLaughlin for S Walsh (55), Eoin O'Neill for E Campbell (69), Aodhán McGarry for G Walsh (69).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway)