Kilkenny defeated NUIG by a single point (0-13 to 0-12) in this Walsh Cup game played in poor weather conditions in Páirc Lachtain, Freshford today. The Kilkenny team featuring under 21 players and managed by Richie Mulrooney put in a good display against their physically strong opponents. Kilkenny were one point in arrears at the break (0-8 to 0-7) and the second half was quite even. Kilkenny carved out a three point lead with ten minutes to go and held out for a win by the minimum margin. Kilkenny’s scores came from John Power who hit nine points(seven from frees) James Cassin and Martin Gaffney who hit two points each. Main scorer for the students was Galway player Niall Burke who scored seven points, two of which were from frees. Kilkenny now meet Westmeath in the semi-final.
Scorers –
Kilkenny- J. Power 0-9 (0-7f), J. Cassin, M. Gaffney 0-2 each.
NUIG- N. Burke 0-6 (0-2f), C. Morey 0-3, J.P. O’Connell, P. Kelly, D. Higgins 0-1 each.
Kilkenny – D. Walsh; J. Corcoran, W. Phelan, B. Kennedy; P. Walsh, C. Tobin, P. O’Carroll; C. Buckley, P. Butler; J. Power, L. Harney, J. Cassin; J. Nolan, G. Aylward, M. Gaffney. Subs: C. Walsh for J.Nolan (half-time), R. Reid for J.Cassin (61m), P Gahan for P.Butler (68m), S. Kearns for G.Aylward (68m).
NUIG – D. Tuohy; D. Magner, E. Fahy, S. McCormack; M. Kelly, D. Kenny, P. Kelly; J.P. O’Connell, C. Diviney; P. Murphy, N. Burke, D. Higgins; R. Shanahan, E. O’Farrell, C. Morey. Subs: A. Armstrong for E.O’Farrell (59m), C. Hynes for P.Murphy (65m).
Ref –David Hughes (Carlow)
By Mary Morgan Sun 29th Jan
