Senior hurlers overrun late on by Cats in dramatic SHC duel

KILKENNY 1-24 DUBLIN 3-16

Dublin came within minutes of pulling of a big early summer shock when they were overtaken by Kilkenny in the dying moments of Sunday’s Leinster SHC round-robin clash at Parnell Park.

Pat Gilroy’s men were on top for most of the game, led by five points with ten minutes to go, before Liam Blanchfield’s injury-time goal put the Cats into the lead for the first time since the fourth minute and they held on for victory.

The Dubs, who got their match-ups and tactics bang on, were left to rue a number of missed opportunities while the loss of the impressive Conal Keaney to injury with ten minutes of normal time remaining was a huge blow for the hosts.

The Ballyboden St Enda’s man had shown all his big-game experience and strength til then as he took up clever positions to contribute four points from play.

After putting in a colossal effort Dublin faded late on while the Cats brought plenty of scoring power and experience in off the bench to engineer their late, late victory.

Dublin put in a great opening half with Liam Rushe delivering a powerful display at full-forward.

The St Pat’s of Palmerstown man went on a barnstorming direct line run in the fourth minute to tee up a great goal by Paul Ryan with a stunning finish.

Late in the half Rushe again drove straight at the Kilkenny defence and though Ryan’s effort was parried out Fergal Whitely followed up with whip the sliotar clinically to the roof of the net for Dublin to hold a 2-7 to 0-9 interval advantage.

Dublin's defence and midfield were doing brilliantly with Eoghan O'Donnell,  Seán Moran, Chris Crummey and Shane Barrett particularly influential.

Alan Nolan also produced a stunning reflex save to deny Ger Aylward from close range following good work by the hard-working Walter Walsh.

Kilkenny were forced to make adjustments with Colin Fennelly introduced in the 33^rd minute, he went on to score three valuable points from play.

A Jake Malone scrambled goal following great quick interplay among the Dublin forwards had the home supporters sensing a big scalp.

However, the Dubs held the lead until the first minute of injury time before Cats keeper Eoin Murphy put his side within one with his fourth long-range free of the match before Liam Blanchfield stole in behind to score Kilkenny’s vital goal.

In the lead up Dublin could be aggrieved for not getting a free out after Paddy Smyth looked to have been fouled.

Sub Paul Winters reduced the gap to the minimum before TJ Reid ensured victory for Brian Cody’s men.

The Dubs face Wexford in Wexford Park next Sunday (3.0) in their next round-robin encounter.

SCORERS – Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-12 (0-9f, 0-2 ‘65’), E Murphy 0-4 (0-4f), L Blanchfield 1-0, C Fennelly 0-3, J Maher, W Walsh 0-2 each, J Donnelly 0-1. Dublin: P Ryan 1-6 (0-5f), C Keaney 0-4, F Whitely, J Malone 1-0 each, P Winters 0-3 (0-2f), T Connolly, C Crummey, F MacGibb 0-1 each.

KILKENNY: E Murphy; J Holden, P Walsh, P Deegan; C Delaney, C Buckley, E Morrissey; R Leahy, J Maher; M Keoghan, TJ Reid, J Donnelly; B Sheehan, W Walsh, G Aywlard. Subs: C Fennelly for Sheehan (33), C Fogarty for Keoghan (ht), P Murphy for Morrissey (46), L Blanchfield for Leahy (55), L Scanlon for Aylward (59).

DUBLIN: A Nolan; P Smyth, C O’Callaghan, B O’Carroll; C Crummey, S Moran, S Barrett; R McBride, E O’Donnell; J Malone, C Keaney, D Sutcliffe; F Whitely, L Rushe, P Ryan. Subs: P Winters for Ryan (45), F Mac Gib for Whitely (48), T Connolly for McBride (52), R O’Dwyer for Keaney (60 inj), S Durkin for Malone (66).

REF: D Kirwan (Cork).