Late point gives Cats NHL win

An injury-time point from Brian Dowling gave Kilkenny a 2-15 to 2-14 victory over Cork in this afternoon's Allianz National Hurling League Division One final at sun-drenched Semple Stadium. The Thurles venue witnessed a high octane clash between two of the top sides in the country, and although Tha Cats sacrificed a comfortable lead at the interval, they had to come from behind in the final minutes to claim the title.

A crowd in excess of 25,000 witnessed a classic second-half display from a rejuvenated Cork, but it wasn't enough to give them victory over Brian Cody's well-drilled side. Kilkenny sparkled in the opening quarter and opened up an eight point gap, with a goal apiece from the highly impressive Martin Comerford and John Hyne the highlights. Cork took remedial action by switching both corner-backs and wing-backs and this decision was crucial in the Rebels' great recovery. A goal from Eamonn Collins after 22 minutes brought them back into the game and by half-time Kilkenny's lead was down to five points.

With the advantage of the slight breeze after the interval, Cork set about reducing the deficit and it began well for them when substitute Jimmy McCarthy pointed from 70 yards in the third minute. That score was a prelude to a thrilling 33 minutes with fantastic scores being swapped as both sides pressed for victory, matching each other stride for stride for commitment and skill. Cork were now dominating possession, but in seeking to score points from long range they shot 14 wides in the second-half, 17 in all, against ten for Kilkenny.

When Collins scored his second goal in the ninth minute a Cork victory looked likely with Kilkenny struggling more and more to keep pace. Diarmaid O'Sullivan pointed a 65 with six minutes of normal time remaining to give Cork the lead for the first time, but the lead didn't survive a minute as Brian Dowling equalised for The Cats. A minute later Alan Brown scored a magnificent point from fifty yards out on the line to edge Cork in front once again only for Henry Sheflin to restore parity within the minute. The determined Brown handed The Rebels the advantage yet again, but Sean Dowling responded for Kilkenny as the game looked like ending all-square.

The game was in injury time when young Brian Dowling stepped to calmly slot the ball over the bar from forty yards to give Kilkenny a slender victory, but one which their first-half performance would have fully merited.

Filed by Shane Murray