Kilkenny 3-10
Clare 1-15
KILKENNY GROUND OUT a narrow victory over Clare this afternoon in Ennis to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-final stages in the hurling league.
The Cats only got off the mark last Monday with a victory over Waterford in Nowlan Park and they maintained their winning run on their travels today.
Clare pushed them all the way with late points from Darach Honan and Colin Ryan cutting the gap to the minimum.
But Davy Fitzgerald’s side could not grab a levelling score as Kilkenny’s ability to strike goals at crucial times proved vital at Cusack Park.
In an exciting first-half, Kilkenny enjoyed a 2-7 to 1-7 lead at the midway mark. Glenmore’s Ger Aylward and Clara’s Lester Ryan registered the goals with Ryan’s a brilliant solo effort.
Colm Galvin found the net for Clare after great work by Tony Kelly while Colin Ryan, who finished with 0-11 overall, maintained his excellent standards in converting placed balls.
Kilkenny made a vital breakthrough after the break when they grabbed their third goal of the game courtesy of the experienced Aidan Fogarty.
Clare bounced back well and did manage to cut the gap to the minimum on a couple of occasions but Kilkenny were able to stave off the Banner resistance with Eoin Larkin pointing the way as they secured a significant win.
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Scorers for Kilkenny: Ger Aylward 1-2, Eoin Larkin 0-5 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Aidan Fogarty, Lester Ryan 1-1 each, Richie Hogan 0-1.
Scorers for Clare: Colin Ryan 0-11 (0-10f), Colm Galvin 1-0, Shane O’Donnell, John Conlon, Tony Kelly, Darach Honan 0-1 each.
CLARE: Patrick Kelly (Inagh/Kilnamona); Domhnall O’Donovan (Clonlara), David McInerney (Tulla), Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge); Brendan Bugler (Whitegate), Patrick Donnellan (O’Callaghan Mills), Patrick O’Connor (Tubber); Conor Ryan (Cratloe), Nicky O’Connell (Clonlara); Colm Galvin (Clonlara), Tony Kelly (Ballyea), Colin Ryan (Newmarket-on-Fergus); Fergal Lynch (Clooney-Quin), Shane O’Donnell (Eire Og, Ennis), John Conlon (Clonlara).
Subs: Enda Barrett (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for McInerney, Darach Honan (Clonlara) for Lynch.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Paddy Hogan (Danesfort), Kieran Joyce (Rower-Inistioge), Conor Fogarty (Erins Own); Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Brian Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan); Lester Ryan (Clara), Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks); Michael Rice (Carrickshock), Richie Power (Carrickshock), Eoin Larkin (James Stephens); Ger Aylward (Glenmore), Richie Hogan (Danesfort), Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds).
Subs: Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks) for Rice, Walter Walsh (Tullogher-Rosbercon) for Power, Matthew Ruth (James Stephens) for Aylward.
Ref: Anthony Stapleton (Laois)
