out-gun Rebels!

Barrett got the rst score for the Munster men, but this score was cancelled out straight away when Dicksboro’s Timmy Cli ord ri ed over a cracking point. Shane Kingston then pointed from another placed ball to reduce the Kilkenny lead to just 3 points, but the next score would prove crucial in breaking the Leesiders resistance.

e ever-dangerous Billy Drennan was fouled by Damien Cahalane, who was yellow carded for the foul on the Galmoy man. Billy dusted himself down and like a week earlier, made no mistake with the penalty, sending the Cork keeper the wrong way as the home faithful celebrated a key moment in the tussle. Derek Lyng’s men were now six clear, daylight.

Shortly after the penalty had been converted, a fracas developed with lots of pushing and shoving between players from both teams. e game was great to see was held up for around 5 minutes as the jersey quality of both sides was tested! When the dust settled, Referee John Keenan brandished several yellow cards, but for Cork’s full-back, Eoin Downey, it would be the colour red, which saw the Glen Rovers man exit proceedings. When play resumed, it took a wonderful save from Cork keeper Collins to deny the impressive Paddy Deegan a chance to raise a third green ag of the day for the home side. Richie Hogan made was for e Village’s Cian Kenny and the James Stephens man pointed with almost his rst touch of the Sliotar. Billy Drennan also sent over a placed ball to leave the black and amber up by 8 points at the midway point of the second period.

Robert Downey, brother of the red- it an interesting closing period. Drennan then picked a good time to tag on another score, this one a sweet e ort from play.

Shane Kingston then red over another e ort from the placed ball before substitute Gearoid Dunne got on the scoresheet with a nely taken point. Fittingly, it would be the majestic Billy Drennan that wrapped up the scoring in the 6th additional minute of play to see the Cats home by 6 points and set up a league nal encounter with Limerick. Full-time score from UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 2-22, Cork 0-22.

Kilkenny: E. Murphy; M. Butler, T. Walsh, P. Walsh; D. Corcoran, H. Lawlor, D. Blanch eld; C. Fogarty (0-1), A. Murphy (0-2); T. Cli ord (0-01), J. Donnelly (0-02), P. Deegan; B. Drennan (1-13, goal penalty, 0-8 frees, four 65s), M. Keoghan (1-0), R. Hogan (0-1).

Subs: C. Kenny (0-01) for Hogan 56th min; G. Dunne (0-01) for Cli ord 58th min; N. Brennan for A. Murphy 67th min; C. Delaney for D. Corcoran 69th min; E. Cody for Butler 71st min.

Cork: P. Collins; N. O’Leary, E. Downey, D. Cahalane; T. O’Connell, C. Joyce, R. Downey (0-1); B. Roche, E. Twomey; C. Cahalane (0-2), C. Lehane, S. Barrett (0-3); S. Kingston (0-9, 0-8 frees), P. Power (0-2), J. O’Connor (0-1).

Subs: T. O’Mahony (0-1) for Twomey 50th min; P. Horgan (0-3, frees) for J. O’Connor 50th min; G. Millerick for C. Cahalane 52nd min; B. Hayes for P. Power 66th min.

Referee: J. Keenan (Wicklow).

>> SHERRY SAYS..

Billy Drennan. That’s all I was going to say this week. Billy bloomin’ Drennan. The Galmoy youngster is certainly blooming into a fine senior hurler. Yes, there’s still a long way to go, but the fact that the lively attacker is looking so comfortable in the senior ranks speaks volumes for the player and his manager.

Another impressive tally of 1-13 for Drennan, his placed-ball accuracy most be worrying not only the opposition, but even the great TJ Reid, who is nearing an inter-county return.

Things are looking up for Derek Lyng’s charges! Taking the scalp of Cork, albeit in a league semi-final is another building block for the Emeralds clubman as he seeks to further assert his stamp on the Cats, in this his first season in charge of the Senior team.

The players stuck to their task against the Leesiders, and stood firm, even when the going got tough. The fracas just after we scored the second goal of the game, while not pretty, showed the crowd and those watching at home that these players are in this together and will stand shoulder to shoulder for each other. When David Blanchfield was pulled to the ground, I loved the way Paddy Deegan came steaming in and helped his teammate.

Perhaps the panel has been having an ‘easier’ week to date, given that the league final is scheduled for Easter Sunday. The manager hinted that TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen could be in contention, along with Richie Reid, but the league decider might come a week too soon for both Billy Ryan and captain Eoin Cody.

It was great to see a few of the ‘black and amber’ make the GAA editorial staff’s ‘Team of the Week’. Limerick are there to be played in the League final, not feared. It’s all in preparation for championship hurling.

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Very Camogie League

Division 1A

Kilkenny 0-14

Tipperary 0-13

Piltown was the setting as our Senior camog’s brought the curtain down on a disappointing Very League campaign with a hard-fought 1-point win over Tipperary, who themselves missed out on a nal berth following Galway’s win over Cork.

In what can only be described as a challenging league for our senior stripey women, Densie Gaule would once again prove the di erence as Brian Dowling’s side edged e Premier County in Piltown.

In a low-scoring game, Julieann Malone got Kilkenny’s rst score of the game after ten minutes, before e Village’s Sophie O’Dwyer levelled matters with a well-taken free just three minutes later.

Tipperary duo Grace O’Brien and Eimear McGrath then added a pair of scores and there was one in reply from Windgap’s Gaule, to leave the visitors 1