Allianz Hurling League Division 1B

KILKENNY 1-28 ANTRIM 3-15

By David Mohan at UPMC Nowlan Park

Kilkenny made it two wins from two in Division One of the Allianz Hurling League, but were given some nervy moments by Antrim at Nowlan Park.

It appeared the hosts were well on course to canter home as they led by nine early in the second period, but were rocked by 2-3 from the visitors that drew the game level.

However, they always had there answers to Antrim's fightback and with 13 points from top-scorer Alan Murphy, they were able to defeat the Saffrons.

Having beaten Clare last week, Darren Gleeson's Antrim - unbeaten in 12 games - travelled south with confidence and were first on the board through Conor McCann as the rain poured early on.

Kilkenny gradually grew into the game and clipped over the next six points with James Bergin and Alan Murphy to the fore and could have found the net in this spell when Adrian Mullen was sent clear, but lost his balance at the vital moment with Antrim able to clear.

James McNaughton got Antrim's second of the day on 13 minutes and the visitors could have found the net on 15 minutes when Conal Cunning found himself in, but Darren Brennan made a great stop from the Dunloy man as Kilkenny remained 0-6 to 0-2 ahead at the water break.

Paddy Deegan and Cunning traded points upon the resumption before Kilkenny did get the Goa they had been threatening as Richie Reid put Eoin Cody through who made no mistake from point-blank range.

Niall McKenna replied with a score at the other end, but Kilkenny was the side with momentum even though their shooting was letting them down as they hit nine first half-wides.

They were eight clear on 33 minutes when Antrim had a huge chance for a goal their challenge needed when they were awarded a penalty after Keelan Molloy was taken down by Conor Browne - minus his hurley - giving referee Sean Stack no option but to award the penalty and send Browne to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

However, Brennan was equal to Ciaran Clarke's penalty as Kilkenny cleared and a late exchange of scores from Murphy and Gerard Walsh left Kilkenny 1-11 to 0-6 ahead at the break.

Kilkenny hit two of the first three points of the second period, but suddenly Antrim clicked into gear as they hit three points in succession through James McNaughton (two) and Conor McCann, but it would get even better as they struck back-to-back goals in the 44th and 45th minutes to level.

First, Clarke took down a long ball in from Michael Bradley and fed Conal Cunning who found the corner before Clarke rippled the net himself when Neil McManus had his shot well saved by Brennan.

Kilkenny responded brilliantly and just turned it up a notch to wipe out those goals by landing the next six points through Murphy (three), Martin Keoghan, Conor Browne and Bergin to leave them 1-19 to 2-10 ahead entering the final quarter.

Further points from Adrian Mullen and Richie Reid appeared to have put therm clear, but Antrim were not done yet with three of the next four points and when Neil McManus lashed low into the net on 62 minutes, there was just a goal in it.

However, Kilkenny again responded well with Mullen, Keoghan, Browne and Murphy all raising white with McManus then seeing his 20-meter free crass off the crossbar to deny a grandstand finish.

Michael Bradley and Murphy traded late points, but it was Kilkenny who emerged winners having fended off Antrim's second half surge.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Alan Murphy 0-13 (9fs), James Bergin 0-4, Eoin Cody 1-1, Adrian Mullen 0-3, Martin Keoghan 0-2, Conor Browne 0-2, Paddy Deegan 0-1, Richie Reid 0-1, John Donnelly 0-1

Scorers for Antrim: James McNaughton 0-6 (2fs), Ciaran Clarke 1-3 (3fs), Conal Cunning 1-1, Neil McManus 1-0, Conor McCann 0-2, Niall McKenna 0-1, Michael Bradley 0-1, Gerard Walsh 0-1

KILKENNY: Darren Brennan; Tommy Walsh, Huw Lawlor, Paddy Deegan; David Blanchfield, Pádraig Walsh, Conor Browne; Richie Reid, Cillian Buckley; Liam Blanchfield, Eoin Cody, Martin Keoghan; James Bergin, Adrian Mullen, Alan Murphy.

Subs: John Donnelly for Liam Blanchfield (HT), Joey Holden for Paddy Deegan (45), Conor Fogarty for Richie Reid (56), Tadgh O'Dwyer for James Bergin (61), Michael Carey for Cillian Buckley (66). Blood sub: Eoin O'Shea for Eoin Cody (70+1, not reversed)

ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Stephen Rooney, Gerard Walsh, Damon McMullan; Eoghan Campbell, Paddy Burke, Joe Maskey; Neil McManus, Keelan Molloy; Niall McKenna, James McNaughton, Michael Bradley; Conal Cunning, Conor McCann, Ciaran Clarke.

Subs: Eoin O'Neill for Niall McKenna (48), Conor Johnston for Conal Cunning (52), Domhnall Nugent for Keelan Molloy (52), Phelim Duffin for Damon McMullan (55), Dan McCloskey for Conor McCann (63), Shea Shannon for Ciaran Clarke (66), Ciaran Johnston for Stephen Rooney (66).

REFEREE: Sean Stack (Dublin)