Leinster Senior Hurling Championship

KILKENNY 3-22 CARLOW 1-14

By Conor McKenna at Netwatch Cullen Park

Kilkenny eased to victory in their second game of the 2019 Leinster Hurling Championship.

Carlow trailed from the very start of the game, as Kilkenny found the net with just 18 seconds on the clock and the game was essentially over as a contest at this stage.

Kilkenny hit 15 wides over the course of the game, 13 of which came in the first half and they won this game comprehensively without ever having to get out of second gear.

This will be a huge blow for Carlow, who competed very well away to Galway last weekend, but they certainly did not compete on this occasion, as two goals inside the first ten minutes gave the victors a healthy lead they would never relinquish.

TJ Reid was very influential throughout the tie, with the Kilkenny star producing a masterclass for those on view.

Colin Fennelly found the net in the opening minute of the game, finishing to the net after a pass from Bill Sheehan and it was obvious that Kilkenny had targeted goals to kill of the game, as they went for goal whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Two points from TJ Reid followed the goal, before Martin Kavanagh opened his sides account, but Kilkenny’s second goal arrived shortly after.

A long ball in from TJ Reid was flicked on by Bill Sheehan, as the ball made its way to Ger Aylward, who made no mistake with the finish.

Kilkenny added the next three points to open up a 10 point lead. Kilkenny were awarded a penalty after Bill Sheehan was fouled and Reid made no mistake with the resulting penalty to increase their lead.

Walter Walsh and Reid registered further points to give Kilkenny a 3-9 to 0-3 advantage at the interval, after what was a very one-sided opening half.

Carlow did find the net in the second half courtesy of James Doyle, after receiving a short pass from Martin Kavanagh’s free but that was as good as it got for the hosts, who certainly improved in the second half.

Kilkenny pushed on for a comfortable 14 point win, though tougher tasks lie ahead for Cody’s charges, who sit on top of the table with maximum points from their first two games.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 1-12 (1-0 pen, 8fs, 1 65), Colin Fennelly 1-1, Ger Aylward 1-1, John Donnelly 0-2, Alan Murphy 0-2, Richie Leahy 0-1, Walter Walsh 0-1, Adrian Mullen 0-1, Billy Ryan 0-1.

Scorers for Carlow: Martin Kavanagh 0-5 (4fs), James Doyle 1-1, Chris Nolan 0-3 (1f), Seamus Murphy 0-2, Brian Tracey 0-1 (f), Jack Kavanagh 0-1, David English 0-1.

KILKENNY: Darren Brennan; Paul Murphy, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; Conor Fogarty, Padraig Walsh, Paddy Deegan; Alan Murphy; Richie Leahy; Adrian Mullen, Walter Walsh, TJ Reid; Bill Sheehan, Colin Fennelly, Ger Aylward.

Subs: Liam Blanchfield for Colin Fennelly (27), John Donnelly for Walter Walsh (h-t), Billy Ryan for Aylward (49), Jason Cleere for Paddy Deegan (53), Martin Keoghan for Richie Leahy (61).

CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Kevin McDonald, Paul Doyle, Michael Doyle; Eoin Nolan, David English, Richard Coady; Jack Kavanagh, Sean Whelan; John Michael Nolan, Martin Kavanagh, Edward Byrne; James Doyle, Seamus Murphy, Chris Nolan.

Subs: Alan Corcoran for Paul Doyle (h-t), Ted Joyce for Edward Byrne (49), Jack Murphy for Sean Whelan (64), Diarmuid Byrne for Jack Kavanagh (66), Ross Smithers for James Doyle (69).

REFEREE: Alan Kelly (Galway).