Kilkenny crash to another disappointing defeatCORK 2-15, KILKENNY 1-16
John Knox
16 Mar 2019
Ousted former champions, Kilkenny slipped to another disappointing defeat in the National Hurling League, this time losing this Division 1A relegation play-off at Nowlan Park today after leading most of the way.
Cork, who shot a staggering 19 wides, produce a determined finish to claim 1-2 without reply between the 69th and 71st minutes to snatch a dramatic victory.
Wind backed Kilkenny were moving nicely when points from James Maher and Richie Hogan left them 1-15 to 1-12 clear as the 67th minute was passed.
The tables were turned. Cork were 2-14 to 1-15 ahead. Before the finish there as an exchange of points between Richie Hogan and Lehane, but Cork were home and into Group A of next year’s revised league along with All-Ireland champions, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Galway and Westmeath.
Kilkenny will join Group B along with Wexford, Clare, Dublin, Carlow and Laois.
Kilkenny were double scores in front (1-9 to 0-6) when Richie Hogan pointed early in the second half. However, they couldn’t maintain their grip on things.
Cork got back level at 1-11 each on 60 minutes after James O’Connor goaled. Although they fell behind again, they regrouped smartly.
Cork played with the wind from the start, but their shooting was awful. By half-time they had registered 11 wides.
The only time the visitors led was when Shane Kingston scored the opening point after 80 seconds. When Billy Ryan levelled it, Kilkenny then took the lead with an Alan Murphy point from a free in the fifth minute.
They made the best of chances and led by 1-8 to 0-6 at the break. The goal arrived from a penalty in the 33rd minute. James Maher was fouled. Alan Murphy goaled with a well struck shot into the right corner of the net.
Cork’s poor shooting and two brilliant saves by goalie, Eoin Murphy, were both a big part of the story that half, but when the Cats opened the second period with a point from Richie Hogan they looked set to motor on. They didn’t!
SCORERS: Conor Lehane (0-8); Jack O’Connor, Jamie Coughlan (1-0 each); Shane Kingston (0-3); Luke Meade (0-2); Mark Coleman, Cormac Murphy (0-1 each). Kilkenny – Alan Murphy (1-4); Richie Hogan (0-5); Niall Brassil( 0-3); Richie Leahy (0-2); James Maher, Billy Ryan (0-1 each).
Kilkenny – Eoin Murphy; Michael Cody, Paddy Deegan, Ciaran Wallace; Enda Morrissey, Conor O’Shea, Tommy Walsh; James Maher, Conor Browne; Pat Lyng, Alan Murphy, Richie Leahy; Billy Ryan, Richie Hogan, Niall Brassil. Subs – Aidan Nolan for O’Shea; Ger Malone for Lyng; John Donnelly for A. Murphy; Martin Keoghan for R. Leahy.
Cork – Anthony Nash; Sean O’Donoghue, Damien Cahalane, Darren Browne; Robert Downey, Tim O’Mahony, Mark Coleman; Ger Millerick, Bill Cooper; Cormac Murphy, Robbie O’Flynn, Luke Meade; Conor Lehane, Aidan Walsh, Shane Kingston. Subs – Jack O’Connor for A. Walsh; Darragh Fitzgibbon for C. Murphy; Jamie Coughlan for Kingston.
Referee – James Owens (Wexford).
By Mary Morgan Sat 16th Mar
