St Patricks Ballyragget man Kevin Kelly hit the back of the net twice in the closing stages of Kilkennys National Hurling League game at home to Tipperary to register the cats first points in the competition.
Kilkenny came away from Walsh Park last week with a defeat after a scrappy performance in their league opener.
Tipperary lead the game until Kellys first goal and looked to be in the driving seat for the most of the game keeping their noses in front however Kilkenny always stayed in touch by at least two points in the second half.
Tipp lead at the break 0-09 to 0-08 and had been 0-09 to 0-05 ahead heading for half time.
Kilkenny drew level twice in the third quarter but John O’Dwyer and John McGrath kept Tipperary ahead.
Tipperary threatened the Kilkenny goal on numerous occasions but a fantastic display by Eoin Murphy kept them from raising the green flag.
Kevin Kellys first goal came about after a cross from Jonjo Farrell which Kelly fired into the net with minutes to spare.
His second came in added time after a long ball from the Kilkenny defence seen the Ballyragget man get by his markers and fired the ball past Darren Gleeson.
Final Score – Kilkenny 2-17, Tipperary 0-18
Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-10, Kevin Kelly 2-1, James Maher 0-4, Padraig Walsh & Walter Walsh 0-1 each.
Tipperary: John O’Dwyer 0-9, John McGrath 0-4, Conor Kenny & Noel McGrath 0-2 each, Michael Breen 0-1.
