Two red cards shown as Kilkenny prove too strong for Limerick in league semi-final

Three first-half goals paved the way for the winners to triumph.

Fintan O'Toole Reports from SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Kilkenny 3-17

Limerick 1-15

AFTER THE PAIN and suffering of final losses at the hands of Limerick in recent times, came a game to inject confidence into the Kilkenny camp.

The pattern of results that has seen Limerick lord it over Kilkenny teams was altered here in a knockout setting, Derek Lyng’s side ultimately cantering to this Division 1 league semi-final success on Leeside in a game that saw both teams finish with 14 men, key forwards Eoin Cody and Peter Casey dismissed separately in the second half.

Cody received his second yellow shortly after half-time after a strike on Declan Hannon as he emerged from defence, while Casey saw red early in the final quarter after an off-the-ball challenge involving Paddy Deegan.

Neither incident interrupted Kilkenny’s control as the second half unfolded. Limerick trailed by six at the break and while they posted five points from play in the first 12 minutes of action in the second half, they didn’t score from play thereafter. It was an odd fadeout from a team we are accustomed to seeing dominate second periods, yet Kilkenny dug in with TJ Reid unerring from frees and Limerick were grateful for the shot-stopping excellence of Nickie Quaid in goal, to ensure this did not became a defeat on a larger scale.

diarmaid-byrnes-consoles-john-donnelly-after-being-sent-off Diarmaid Byrnes consoles Eoin Cody after he is sent-off. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Kilkenny’s early approach was clear as they went in hunt for goals and their boldness was rewarded by the sight of the green flag being raised three times. Eoin Cody buried the first to the bottom corner after ten minutes as he held off the challenge of Barry Nash. Luke Hogan bundled home the second a minute later after Cody’s stinging drive was blocked by Quaid, and then TJ Reid outfielded Aaron Costello before lashing home the third on the half hour mark.

It was impressive stuff considering Limerick’s lively start as they struck 1-2 without reply, Aaron Gillane wheeling clear for a trademark finish to the net after four minutes. The strong Kilkenny response saw them ahead 3-6 to 1-6 at the break and they protected that position in the second half.

luke-hogan-shoots-at-goal Luke Hogan shoots at goal for Kilkenny. Ken Sutton / INPHO Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO

Quaid denied Adrian Mullen a first-half goal and Martin Keoghan one in the second, with his rapid reflexes. Owen Wall did brilliantly to engineer another chance but could only direct his close-range shot into the side-netting.

Those misses didn’t cost Kilkenny. They coped with an early second-half blast of scores from Limerick and were seven clear, 3-12 to 1-11, by the three-quarter mark. It became bitingly cold and the action did little to ignite the small crowd as Kilkenny closed off the match. Billy Drennan came off the bench to chip in with three points, Keoghan rounded off the scoring with a super point off his right

Kilkenny go forward to meet Clare or Tipperary in pursuit of league honours, Limerick park the springtime stuff and get ready for championship fare.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 1-8 (0-7f, 0-1 ’65), Eoin Cody 1-0, Luke Hogan 1-0, Adrian Mullen 0-3, Billy Drennan 0-3 (0-1f, 0-1 ’65), Billy Ryan 0-1, Martin Keoghan 0-1, Cillian Buckley 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick: Aaron Gillane 1-5 (0-4f), Cathal O’Neill 0-2, Tom Morrissey 0-2 (0-2f), David Reidy 0-2 (0-1f), Diarmaid Byrnes 0-1 (0-1f), Gearóid Hegarty 0-1, Donnacha Ó Dálaigh 0-1, Peter Casey 0-1.

Kilkenny

1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)

2. Shane Murphy (Glenmore), 3. Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), 4. Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan)

5. David Blanchfield (Bennetsbridge), 6. Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels), 7. Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro)

8. Cian Kenny (James Stephens), 9. Jordan Molloy (O’Loughlin Gaels)

10. Adrian Mullen (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 11. Eoin Cody (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 12. John Donnelly (Thomastown)

13. Luke Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels), 14. TJ Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 15. Owen Wall (O’Loughlin Gaels)

Subs

20. Richie Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale) for Buckley (half-time)
26. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan) for Hogan (45)
15. Owen Wall (O’Loughlin Gaels) for Ryan (inj) (52)
24. Billy Drennan (Galmoy) for Reid (59)
23. Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro) for Donnelly (69)
21. Kevin Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge) for Kenny (71)

Limerick

1. Nickie Quaid (Effin)

2. Barry Nash (South Liberties), 3. Seán Finn (Bruff), 4. Aaron Costello (Kilmallock)

5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell), 6. Declan Hannon (Adare – captain), 7. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora-Manister)

8. William O’Donoghue (Na Piarsaigh), 9. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)

10. Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick’s), 11. Adam English (Doon), 12. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)

13. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell), 14. Donnacha Ó Dálaigh (Monaleeen), 15. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)