See highlights from Kilkenny’s win over Antrim
Debutant Billy Drennan’s 1-8 assisted Kilkenny ultimately control Antrim 1-18 to 0-15 in the Allianz Hurling League Department One opener at a damp and windy Corrigan Park.
The sides were level at 0-3 each early on however Drennan’s objective assisted the Cats lead 1-10 to 0-9 at half-time.
As the weather condition closed in, Antrim cut Kilkenny’s result in just 2 which stayed the margin after 67 minutes.
However the Cats struck 4 late indicate liquidate the video game.
Antrim will feel that they squandered a chance to shock the Cats, as they successfully had the aspects in their favour in both halves after the wind instructions turned at the period.
Free-taker Conal Cunning completed with 8 points for the Saffrons however missed out on a variety of other placed-ball opportunities.
Under brand-new supervisor Derek Lyng, Kilkenny tried to play a short-passing video game instead of the more direct design favoured by Brian Cody however offered the conditions, it was most likely a day when more direct tossing was going to pay dividends.
Derek Lyng remained in his very first league match in charge of Kilkenny following long-serving Brian Cody’s departure from the function last summertime
Antrim employer Darren Gleeson consisted of 5 of Dunloy’s beat All-Ireland Club Last line-up with Shrewd participated the beginning line-up by keeper Ryan Elliott, Ryan McGarry, Keelan Molloy and Eoin O’Neill.
Lyng, on the other hand, called 7 beginners from last July’s All-Ireland Final as the triumphant Ballyhale contingent, that includes TJ and Richie Reid and Eoin Cody, were missing out on.
The Cats guys at Corrigan Park who did line out in the narrow 1-31 to 2-26 defeat by three-in-a-row attaining Limerick were protectors Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor and Padraig Walsh with Paddy Deegan called in midfield and Cian Kenny, Martin Keoghan and Billy Ryan including in attack.
After winning the toss, Antrim had the wind benefit in the very first half and James McNaughton put them ahead in the 2nd minute.
There wasn’t more than a point in between the sides early on as they switched the lead prior to Cunning’s 2nd totally free levelled matters as soon as again after 10 minutes.
Nevertheless, Kilkenny then started to control in the center third of the field, as centre half-back Padraig Walsh stood out, with Antrim’s enemies dropping much deeper to assist which just played in the Cats’ hands.
After Drennan put Kilkenny ahead for the 2nd time, Antrim keeper Elliott made an exceptional save to reject Cian Kenny however the Dunloy guy might not do anything 2 minutes later on as a charging Drennan fired low to the web with the home defence left absolutely exposed.
The objective left 5 in between the sides and while Conal Bohill, Neil McManus and Niall McKenna fired exceptional points throughout the rest of the very first half, the Saffrons were mostly living off scraps as Kilkenny controlled in open play.
Antrim 0-15 Kilkenny 1-18: Saffrons supervisor Darren Gleeson on referee choices
Burke exceptional for the Saffrons
With Padraig Walsh ending up being especially popular, the Cats had opportunities to rattle the web once again with Cian Kenny blasting broad after obstructing a telegraphed ball from Niall O’Connor, who was having a hard time in his battle with Drennan.
A McKenna point left just a puck of the ball in it in injury-time however Kilkenny full-forward Martin Keoghan, who had actually resisted Ryan McGarry in the very first half, lastly opened his account to put the Cats 1-10 to 0-9 ahead at the break.
The paradises opened at half-time and as mist came down, the conditions ended up being progressively difficult for the gamers – in addition to making it challenging to follow the action for a time.
However by now the wind had actually altered instructions to favour Antrim once again and after 2 more Drennan points put the Cats 5 up, the Saffrons reacted with 3 straight ratings to leave just 2 in between the sides after 53 minutes.
Paddy Burke, exceptional in defence throughout, was amongst Antrim’s scorers throughout their duration of supremacy as he stepped forward to stroke over a charm from play.
With 3 minutes of regular time, there was still just 2 prior to the groups prior to Billy Ryan, Keoghan (2) and Drennan indicated offer the Cats more breathing room.
Antrim: R Elliott; P Burke, R McGarry, N O’Connor; G Walsh, E Campbell (capt), C Bohill; M Bradley, J Maskey; N McKenna, K Molloy, J McNaughton; C Shrewd, N McManus, E O’Neill.
Subs: T Smyth, P Duffin, S Rooney, C McKernan, E Og McGarry, S Walsh, R McMullan, S Elliott, C Johnston, P Boyle, S McAuley.
Kilkenny: A Tallis; M Butler, H Lawlor, N Rowe; C Buckley (capt), P Walsh, D Blanchfield; P Deegan, J Donnelly; W Walsh, C Kenny, P Cody; B Drennan, M Keoghan, B Ryan.
Subs: D Brennan, P Moylan, D Dunne, C Heary, D Corcoran, S Murphy, T Phelan, S Walsh, G Dunne, A Murphy, N Brennan.
