Cork 0-18 Kilkenny 1-13

Cork claimed the scalp of All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in a physical NHL Division 1 encounter at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

A superb injury-time point from substitute Paudie O'Sullivan sealed the Rebels' third straight league win.

Richie Power had a penalty saved and Kilkenny also had Michael Grace dismissed, following an injury-time fracas, with the sides level at 0-08 apiece at half-time.

John Mulhall's 49th-minute goal edged the visitors ahead but Cork powered home with points from John Gardiner, Cathal Naughton, Niall McCarthy and O'Sullivan.

Former captain Gardiner had a telling contribution from wing back, defending brilliantly and scoring six points in a virtuoso display.

An understrength Cork side suffered a 27-point mauling in the corresponding fixture last year but Denis Walsh's men exacted some revenge this afternoon against a Kilkenny outfit that included eight of last year's All-Ireland final-winning side.

Power could have given the Cats the perfect start but after Grace was fouled for a third minute penalty, the Carrickshock clubman's shot was well saved by Cork's experienced net minder Donal Og Cusack and Willie O'Dwyer sent the rebound wide.

The opening quarter-hour was played at a high tempo and Cork turned pressure into points as Gardiner, Tom Kenny and Pat Horgan converted scores.

Gardiner's point came after Kilkenny goalkeeper PJ Ryan turned a Kieran 'Fraggy' Murphy shot away from the target.

Horgan added his second point from a central position, before Mulhall and Power replied for Brian Cody's charges and the action swung from one end to the other as Horgan and Power traded frees.

With Cusack and his opposite number PJ Ryan both thwarting attacks, Gardiner was able to increase Cork's lead to three. Aisake O hAilpin was foraging well as the Rebels' target man, scrapping for every ball with his marker Brian Hogan.

Points from Power, with his third free, and Aidan Fogarty and Grace squared things up at 0-06 apiece by the 33rd minute.

Horgan and Niall McCarthy restored Cork's lead but tensions spilled over in injury-time as two separate brawls broke out.

Referee Dickie Murphy reacted by giving Grace a straight red card and McCarthy was shown a yellow for his involvement.

14-man Kilkenny rallied to level the game at 0-08 apiece for half-time, but Cork nipped ahead on the restart as a Mulhall drive was answered by three frees from Gardiner.

But the Cats pushed 1-10 to 0-11 ahead when former Under-21 forward Mulhall, taking a Power pass, exploited some rare space in the Cork defence and his powerful, well-placed shot gave Cusack little chance.

By the hour mark, Gardiner and Naughton had got Cork level at 0-13 to 1-10 and while Power was able to keep the defending champions on track with their eleventh point, the home side roared back with three points on the trot from substitute Jerry O'Connor, Gardiner and McCarthy.

Power replied with two frees to keep it in the melting pot - making it a one-point game on two occasions - but O'Sullivan rose to the occasion with his second point in as many minutes being the best of Cork's lot.