Advertisement
Dublin's Paddy Smyth and TJ Reid of Kilkenny battle for possession. Laszlo Geczo/INPHO
beat down

Kilkenny dominate second-half to hammer disappointing Dublin by double scores

Martin Keoghan grabbed two goals for the Cats in a one-sided victory.

Kilkenny 3-25

Dublin 0-17

BY THE END, it was shooting practice for Kilkenny in Parnell Park. 

Three points ahead at half-time, they left Dublin trailing in their wake with a powerful second-half performance.

The hit 2-14 in 2nd half, 2-10 of it from play as Dublin badly wilted under the May sunshine. Kilkenny won by double scores and this was Brian Cody’s team at their best, all work-rate, ferocious tackling and ruthless in front of goal. 

A win next weekend against Wexford will guarantee their place in the Leinster final with a draw assuring a top-three finish.

Adrian Mullen (0-5) and Martin Keoghan (2-1) led the scoring charge for the Cats, but it was a win built on substance rather than style. Mullen’s switch to midfield paid dividends and he ran the show at stages, while Keoghan scored his goals at key stages of the game.

Keoghan, a late introduction to the starting team, fired in a goal either side of half-time and TJ Reid made the game safe with their third in the 50th minute. 

Reid started slow but looked more like himself after half-time and finished with 1-7. 

Playing in their third away championship game of the round-robin campaign, Cody made four late changes to his, introducing Richie Reid, Cian Kenny, Cillian Buckley and Martin Keoghan.

brian-cody-and-mattie-kenny-shake-hands-after-the-game Brian Cody and Mattie Kenny shake hands after the game. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO

Kenny recovered from a hamstring injury to take a new full-forward role. He clipped over three points inside the first 14 minutes. Dublin landed a few early bombs through Donal Burke, Daire Gray and Conor Burke, but the ball wasn’t sticking on the inside line of attack. 

Aidan Mellett had a few opportunities to take on Cian O’Callaghan after Dublin delivered cross-field passes into space. He was unable to get much joy out of the Cuala defender and found himself hauled ashore after 32 minutes. 

The Cats took control at the midway point of the half, stroking over six points in a 10-minute period to move two clear by the 25th minute. Chris Crummey had his moments at midfield, driving forward in traffic to fire over before he celebrated as he jogged past Cody. 

A Burke free from distance brought Dublin level, before Keoghan struck for a Kilkenny goal. He pulled off a skilful chop into the hand and fired past Sean Brennan. 

That helped the visitors into a three-point interval lead, one they doubled early in the second-half. Some brilliant approach play by Reid on the end line saw him find Keoghan, who drilled home his second goal from 21m.

Reid was in the groove now. He found space near the flank to fire one over from play shortly before he hit the net. The 34-year-old gathered a long ball inside and spun around as he was being fouled. Just when it appeared the referee was going to award a penalty, Reid batted into the net.

The left Kilkenny nine clear and the coasted to victory from there. Mullen, Reid and subs John Donnelly and Billy Ryan added scores as Kilkenny scored the final eight efforts without reply. 

The manner by which Dublin waved the white flag will be of major concern to Mattie Kenny. It will be difficult to pick up the troops for a visit to Salthill to face unbeaten Galway next weekend.  

Scorers for Kilkenny: Martin Keoghan 2-1, TJ Reid 1-7 (0-5f), Adrian Mullen 0-5, Cian Kenny 0-4, Alan Murphy 0-3, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan, Cillian Buckley and Billy Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Donal Burke (0-8f) 0-10, Conor Burke 0-2, Chris Crummey, Riain McBride and Mark Schutte 0-1 each.

Kilkenny

1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)

2. Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), 3. Conor Delaney (Erin’s Own), 4. Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), 

5. Michael Carey (Young Irelands), 18. Richie Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), 6. Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels),

 22. Alan Murphy (Glenmore), 12. Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks) 

10. Walter Walsh (Tullogher-Rosbercon), 14. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks), 11. Pádraig Walsh (Tullaroan)

24. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan), 21. Cian Kenny (James Stephens), 15. Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks)

Subs

23. John Donnelly (Thomastown) for Walter Walsh (ht)

13. Billy Ryan (Graigue-Ballycallan) for Padraig Walsh (48)

20. Conor Fogarty (Erin’s Own) for Alan Murphy (59)

9. Cillian Buckley for Mullen (65)

19. David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge) for Butler (67)

Dublin

1 Seán Brennan (Cuala)

2 James Madden (Ballyboden St Enda’s), 3 Eoghan O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille), 4 Cian O’Callaghan (Cuala)

5 Donnacha Ryan (St. Brigid’s), 6 Paddy Smyth (Clontarf), 7. Daire Gray (Whitehall Colmcilles)

8 Conor Burke (St. Vincent’s), 9 Chris Cummey (Lucan Sarsfields)

10 Donal Burke (Na Fianna), 11 Rian McBride (St. Vincent’s), 12 Danny Sutcliffe (St. Jude’s)

15 Aidan Mellett (Ballyboden St. Enda’s), 14 Ronan Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes), 15 Fergal Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes) 

Subs

22. Mark Schutte (Cuala) for Mellett (33)

24. Eamonn Dillon (St Finbarr’s) for Hayes (45)

18. Andrew Dunphy (St Brigid’s) for Gray (59)

17. John Bellew (Lucan Sarsfields) for O’Donnell (62)

25. Davy Keogh (Thomas Davis) for McBride (65)

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)

Your Voice
Readers Comments
17
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel