Kilkenny’s clinched a coveted spot in this year’s Allianz National Hurling League Division 1 final.
A scintillating display at Supervalu Pairc Uí Chaoimh saw the Leinster champions overpower the reigning All-Ireland champions with a final scoreline of 3-17 to 1-15.
The first half witnessed a flurry of action as Luke Hogan, TJ Reid, and Eoin Cody spearheaded Kilkenny’s attack, securing three crucial goals that laid the foundation for their triumph. Despite facing formidable opponents, the Cats showcased their prowess and determination on the field.
However, the victory was not without its challenges. Kilkenny found themselves reduced to 14 men in the second half after Shamrocks forward Eoin Cody received a second yellow card. Yet, under the astute guidance of manager Derek Lyng, the team maintained their composure and control of the game.
Reflecting on the match, Lyng commented, “I thought we managed it pretty well, we got organized well. We used the ball well, and used the width of the pitch. It was really important that we held onto the ball at times. We had pace inside then, that we could hit the ball into. It was a good response I thought at the time, and it was just important we won a few frees at that stage and kept the scoreboard ticking over, I think that was important.”
Looking ahead, Kilkenny sets its sights on Clare in the upcoming final. Clare’s impressive performance in yesterday’s semi-final, where they emerged victorious with a scoreline of 1-24 to 2-13 against Liam Cahill’s charges, sets the stage for an exhilarating showdown between two formidable hurling contenders.
KCLR’s The Kilkenny Hurling Podcast S2 E9: Overrated Munster championship, diving in hurling, and Leinster U20 championship preview
