Hurling matters - Review

another free from TJ. Eoin Cody then notched his second point and in the blink of an eye, Kilkenny were 6 points to the good.

Cian Kenny, Padraig Walsh and Cillian Buckley had all entered the fray, the latter replacing Richie

Reid who appeared in a little bit of discomfort as he hobbled o . Kilkenny appeared to have the measure of this gutsy Dublin team and this was con rmed with the next two scores, both from Shamrocks Ballyhale men, Adrian Mullen and

TJ Reid. A 10th point of the day or Donal Burke followed as the Na Fianna man popped over another free. Galmoy’s Billy Drennan then replaced man of the moment TJ Reid as those in attendance showed their appreciation for the great man. A urry of points followed as the game entered additional time. Billy Drennan reminded the crowd that he was back with a lovely score, while the impressive Danny Sutcli e red over. Adrian Mullen then registered a second score of the game before Dublin full-back Eoghan O’Donnell pointed for a rare score. Two more scores were taken before the long whistle, one for each side, Dara Purcell for the visitors and a third of the day for the hard-working Paddy Deegan to leave the Cats six points clear on a nal scoreline of Kilkenny 0-27, Dublin 0-21.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-10 (10fs), Paddy Deegan, Tom Phelan 0-3 each, Adrian Mullen, Martin Keoghan, Eoin Cody 0-2 each, Mikey Butler, David Blanch eld, Richie Reid, Billy Ryan, and Billy Drennan (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Donal Burke

0-10 (8fs), Danny Sutcli e, Mark Grogan, Dara Purcell 0-2 each, Eoghan O’Donnell, Conor Donohoe, Daire Gray, Cian Boland, Sean Currie 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanch eld, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Adrian Mullen, Paddy Deegan; Tom Phelan, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Walter Walsh for Ryan, 53 mins; Cian Kenny for Phelan, 57 mins; Padraig Walsh for Corcoran, 61 mins; Cillian Buckley for R Reid, 64 mins; Billy Drennan for TJ Reid, 70 mins.

Dublin: Sean Brennan; Paddy Doyle, Eoghan O’Donnell, Paddy Smyth; Conor Donohoe, Conor Burke, Daire Gray; Mark Grogan, Chris O’Leary; Danny Sutcli e, Donal Burke, Cian Boland; Sean Currie, Cian O’Sullivan, Paul Crummey.

Subs: James Madden for Gray, 46 mins; Alex Considine for Crummey, 48 mins; John Bellew for Grogan, 60 mins; Dara Purcell for Donohoe, 63 mins; Darragh Power for O’Sullivan, 67 mins.

Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)

>> SHERRY SAYS..

A great game of hurling from these two sides. Dublin and Kilkenny served up a championship treat for the supporters in UPMC Nowlan Park. It was a real ding-dong battle at times and the men from the Capital acquitted themselves well.

In Donal Burke they have a real talisman and genuinely talented hurler. The Na Fianna man kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors and he had a decent supporting cast in Danny Sutcliffe, Cian Boland, Mark Grogan and Paddy Smyth. The loss of Ronan Hayes was a blow to the Dubs and they will hope to have him back in blue very soon. TJ – what more can be said? Surpassing Patrick Horgan’s championship scoring record is an unreal achievement. There’s still some fuel in the tank and the Shamrocks man will be hoping his county play deep into the summer.

O’Loughlin’s Paddy Deegan came into the starting team and had a great game, notching 0-3 in an energetic display. Tom Phelan will have been pleased with his performance and 3 points from the Conahy Shamrocks man will have done his confidence the world of good. All-Ireland series participation guaranteed. We head to Chadwicks Wexford Park this weekend owing our opponents one. It’s certainly time for the Cats to get the better of the Slaneysiders. Secure the result and we can start to plan for the provincial final and another tussle with Henry’s men.