Allianz HL D1: Kilkenny second-half surge sees off Offaly

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

KILKENNY 1-26 OFFALY 1-19

A devastating third quarter which included a fine goal from Eoin Cody saw Kilkenny turn the tide to complete their second win of the Allianz League at Offaly's expense.

With the aid of a very strong breeze, Offaly led by six points at the interval and eight points earlier in the half with the free taking of Eoghan Cahill and the ongoing threat of Dan Ravenhill and Dan Screeney providing the Cats with many problems.

The home side did eventually get on top with Offaly's advantage wiped out within eight minutes of the resumption and while the Faithful County remained competitive, Derek Lyng's men were able to run out relatively comfortable winners in the end.

Fresh from a draw with Wexford the last day out, Offaly travelled to Nowlan Park with plenty of confidence and they dominated large parts of the opening half.

Eoghan Cahill was hugely accurate on the frees while Cillian Kiely, Jason Sampson and Dan Ravenhill also scored well from play as the visitors really tested Kilkenny.

Kilkenny were restricted to Billy Drennan frees and the continued brilliance of Adrian Mullen keeping them in the hunt as Offaly led 0-14 to 0-8.

It has to be said that the weather conditions played a huge role in the game and Kilkenny certainly didn't panic as they outscored Offaly 0-10 to 0-1 at the start of the second half with Adrian Mullen's 44th minute effort putting Kilkenny into the lead for the first time.

A well taken Eoin Cody goal arrived shortly afterwards and Kilkenny without playing brilliantly or anything had done enough to build up a decent advantage on the scoreboard.

Offaly had a sizeable following among the 3,523 in attendance and they continued to battle all the way to the end with Charlie Mitchell who was forceful throughout netting a goal with five minutes left on the clock.

Somehow Kilkenny didn't add further to their goal tally with Offaly stopper Mark Troy producing a series of great saves to deny the likes of Mullen, Kevin Blanchfield and Billy Drennan.

Subs Kevin Blanchfield and Timmy Clifford did score before the end as the Cats ran out seven point winners that positions them joint-top of the Division 1A table.

Scorers for Kilkenny- Billy Drennan (0-11, 8fs and 2 65's), Adrian Mullen (0-6), Eoin Cody (1-1), John Donnelly (0-2), Darren Brennan (0-1, 1f), David Blachfield, Shane Murphy, Kevin Blanchfield, Timmy Clifford, Walter Walsh (0-1 each)

Scorers for Offaly- Eoghan Cahill (0-10, 9fs), Charlie Mitchell (1-2), Dan Ravenhill (0-2), Jason Sampson, Cillian Kiely, Eimhin Kelly, Jack Clancy, Adam Screeney (0-1 each)

KILKENNY: Darren Brennan; Mikey Butler, Conor Delaney, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Darragh Corcoran, Shane Murphy; Peter McDonald, Mikey Carey; Adrian Mullen, Cian Kenny, John Donnelly; Billy Drennan, Liam Blanchfield, Eoin Cody. Subs: Walter Walsh for McDonald (26), Martin Keoghan for W.Walsh (57), Timmy Clifford for L.Blanchfield (60), Kevin Blanchfield for Kenny (62), Padraic Moylan for Carey (66).

OFFALY: Mark Troy; Cathal King, Ben Conneely, Sam Bourke; Jason Sampson, Cillian Kiely, Killian Sampson; Dan Ravenhill David Nally; Eoghan Cahill, Eimhin Kelly, Jack Clancy; Adam Screeney, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell. Subs: Dan Bourke for Kiely (26), Paddy Delaney for Clancy (43), Oisin Kelly for Nally (55), Dara Maher for Ravenhill (65).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)