John Power celebrates his winner for Kilkenny in the fourth minute of injury time
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION IA: CORK 2-22 KILKENNY 2-23
By Denis Hurley at Páirc Ui Rinn
John Power’s injury-time winner denied Cork their first point in this season’s Allianz Hurling League Division IA as Kilkenny came strong late on at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.
When Colin Fennelly goaled for the Cats in the 67th minute, it appeared to be little more than a consolation as Cork still led by two, 2-20 to 1-21. However, Lester Ryan’s third point made things nervy and then TJ Reid, who had scored 12 points up until then, got in for a second Kilkenny goal to put them two in front, having trailed by six in the 64th minute.
Cork had battled well all night though and two Conor Lehane points to level seemed to be the least they deserved. Ultimately, though, Power had the final say as Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins gifted the substitute possession and he sent the ball over the bar, condemning the hosts to a fourth straight defeat.
The Rebels – clad in the blue of a century ago as part of a 1916 commemoration – can take heart from their performance though, as it was a big improvement on previous showings. Séamus Harnedy was excellent and his 13th-minute goal set the tone as it put them 1-5 to 0-3 in front. While Kilkenny improved coming up to half-time through points from Reid and Walter Walsh, Patrick Horgan’s point in injury time put Cork ahead, 1-11 to 0-10.
Before the 8,015 in attendance had witnessed 10 minutes of the second half, however, Kilkenny had powered in front thanks to Reid (two), Walsh and Richie Hogan. They might have been expected to push on and put Cork to the sword, but the home team came again with a second wave.
The game was tied at 1-14 to 0-17 when they struck for a second goal, Bill Cooper with the rebound after Harnedy had again done brilliantly. Luke O’Farrell and Harnedy added points to put Cork five ahead again but, as is their wont, Kilkenny refused to give up and were ultimately rewarded.
Scorers for Cork: S Harnedy 1-3, P Horgan 0-6 (0-4f, 0-1 65), C Lehane 0-6 (1f), B Cooper 1-0, C Murphy 0-2, D Kearney 0-1, P Haughney 0-1, L O’Farrell 0-1, B Lawton 0-1, L McLoughlin 0-1
**Scorers for Kilkenny: **TJ Reid 1-12 (10f), C Fennelly 1-2, W Walsh 0-3, L Ryan 0-2, D Cody, R Hogan 0-1, J Power 0-1
CORK: P Collins; D Cahalane, S McDonnell, K Burke; C Murphy, C Joyce, L McLoughlin; P Haughney, J Cronin; B Cooper, C Lehane, B Lawton; L O’Farrell, S Harnedy, P Horgan. **Subs: **D Kearney for Cronin (48), S Moylan for Haughney (58), P O’Sullivan for Horgan (65).
KILKENNY: R Reid; P Murphy, J Holden, S Prendergast; P Walsh, K Joyce, C Buckley; C Fogarty, D Cody; C Martin, C Fennelly, TJ Reid; R Hogan, K Kelly, W Walsh. Subs: L Ryan for Fogarty (2, injured), J Maher for Martin (half-time), J Power for Kelly (51).
**Referee: **F Horgan (Tipperary).
