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Allianz HL D1A: Cork edge out Kilkenny

Cork v Kilkenny - Allianz Hurling League Division 1A Round 1

Cork v Kilkenny - Allianz Hurling League Division 1A Round 1

**Allianz Hurling League Division 1A **

CORK 1-24 KILKENNY 0-24

By Denis Hurley at Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Conor Lehane scored 11 points as a strong Cork finish at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night earned them a first league win over Kilkenny since 2012.

At the start of the eight minutes of injury time – necessitated by the hold-up as Kilkenny captain Cillian Buckley received treatment – the sides were level, the visitors having scored three points in a row.

However, Cork stayed calm and re-established their goal lead through Lehane, sub Jack O’Connor and Shane Kingston. Kilkenny sub TJ Reid opted to take his point when they were awarded a 20m free but Lehane cancelled that out and captain Séamus Harnedy did likewise after Conor Fogarty’s Kilkenny point, ensuring the points would go to John Meyler’s side.

It was an entertaining game, with the sides level 13 times. Cork had a dream start in front of the attendance of 16,189 as Robbie O’Flynn’s point was followed by a goal for Kingston, set up by Darragh Fitzgibbon’s surging run from deep.

As is so often the case, Kilkenny’s response was strong and they were level within a matter of minutes, thanks to points from Pat Lyng, captain Cillian Buckley (two) and the impressive Richie Reid.

From there, the sides traded blows for much of the rest of the half, a trio of Kilkenny points followed by the same from the home side. The best goal chance fell to the visitors as Walter Walsh set up Conor Martin, but Patrick Collins – a replacement for Anthony Nash, who opted against playing two games in the one day – saved well from point-blank range.

At the other end, Alan Cadogan drew a good save from Eoin Murphy, the resultant point tying the game at 1-6 to 0-9 before Conor Lehane’s third put Cork in front again.

After Kilkenny seized the upper hand again - goalkeeper Murphy with long-range frees – Cork had a good spell coming up to half-time as Lehane, O’Flynn and corner-back Colm Spillane all scored to put them 1-11 to 0-13 in front, but Kilkenny had the lead at the break thanks to scores from Reid and Alan Murphy.

Reid’s third got the Cats off to a good start in the second half, but sub Luke Meade, captain Séamus Harnedy and Lehane turned the game once more. Kilkenny refused to give in and Alan Murphy’s fifth point levelled at 1-15 to 0-18 but when Cork scored four of the next five, including a lovely on from Fitzgibbon, they were three in front.

That was eradicated once more as Kilkenny full-back Pádraig Walsh, sub TJ Reid and Walter Walsh all pointed, but the visitors suffered the loss of captain Buckley and Cork pulled clear in added time.

**Scorers for Cork: **Conor Lehane 0-11 (0-9 frees), Shane Kingston 1-1, Séamus Harnedy 0-3, Robbie O’Flynn 0-2, Colm Spillane, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Alan Cadogan, Mark Ellis, Luke Meade, Jack O’Connor, Daniel Kearney 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Alan Murphy 0-5 (3f), Richie Reid, TJ Reid (3f), Cillian Buckley 0-3 each, Eoin Murphy (2f), Walter Walsh 0-2 each, Pádraig Walsh, Martin Keoghan, Conor Martin, Pat Lyng, James Maher, Conor Fogarty 0-1 each.

CORK: Patrick Collins; Seán O’Donoghue, Eoin Cadogan, Colm Spillane; Christopher Joyce, Tim O’Mahony, Mark Ellis; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Brian Lawton; Robbie O’Flynn, Conor Lehane, Daniel Kearney; Alan Cadogan, Séamus Harnedy, Shane Kingston. Subs: Luke Meade for Lawton (27), Michael Cahalane for O’Flynn (57), Rob O’Shea for Kearney (58-61, blood), Jack O’Connor for Cadogan (62).

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Joey Holden, Pádraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Conor O’Shea, Joe Lyng, Cillian Buckley; Conor Fogarty, James Maher; Martin Keoghan, Richie Reid, Pat Lyng; Alan Murphy, Walter Walsh, Conor Martin. Subs: John Donnelly for Martin, TJ Reid for Keoghan (both 44), Liam Blanchfield for Alan Murphy (49), Richie Leahy for Maher (57), Enda Morrissey for Buckley (65).

Referee: Fergal Horgan (Tipperary).