Kilkenny 3-11 Dublin 0-25
Dublin maintained their unbeaten start in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A with a hard-earned 0-25 to 3-11 win over Kilkenny.
Three players were dismissed at Nowlan Park, with Kilkenny’s Jonjo Farrell dismissed in the first half, as Dublin led by 0-15 to 1-05 at half-time, with Matthew Ruth netting Kilkenny’s goal.
The Cats were reduced to 13 men following Joe Lyng’s 55th-minute dismissal and, although 13 points behind, Brian Cody rallied strongly.
Matthew Ruth (2-00) and Richie Hogan (1-07) netted for Kilkenny, and while Danny Sutcliffe saw red for Dublin as Ger Cunningham's outfit held out for victory.
7,152 watched a game that was played at Championship pace, with some fine scoring, and which was very much in the melting pot in the final quarter, when Kilkenny held the visitors to just a point.
David Treacy bagged 11 points over the course of the game, helping to ensure that Dublin never trailed.
Peter Kelly claimed the opening score after just a minute, Farrell equalised soon after, but once Sutcliffe fired the first of his four-point tally in the second minute to give Ger Cunningham’s side a 0-02 to 0-01 lead, they stayed on top on the scoreboard until the end.
Sutcliffe, Treacy and Kelly were sublime as Dublin raced 0-07 to 0-01 ahead after 10 minutes.
A Richie Hogan pointed free broke Kilkenny’s scoring dead-lock in the 11th minute, and the Cats were handed a life-line five minutes later with Ruth bagged his first goal to ensure a two-point deficit.
Hogan and Padraig Walsh cut the gap to a point after 20 minutes, but Dublin responded well, and gained the upper hand after Farrell’s dismissal.
Scores from Eamon Dillon and Treacy ensured a 0-11 to 1-04 lead after 26 minutes, and although Walter Walsh hit back with a score for the Cats, Dublin lead by 0-15 to 1-05 at the break.
Dublin’s dominance continued after the restart as scores from Mark Schutte, Sutcliffe, Dillon and Treacy ensured a 0-23 to 1-06 lead, 19 minutes into the second half.
But Kilkenny never gave up, and aided by the fine free-taking of Hogan, whose 58th-minute dead-ball strike finished in the back of the Dublin net, the gap was cut to nine points.
0-24 to 2-9 in arrears, Kilkenny worked hard, but Dublin continued to edge the lead.
Ruth’s second goal in the 65th minute made the scoreline 0-25 to 3-10, but although Hogan added a further point, time ran out for Brian Cody’s men, and Dublin claimed a deserved victory.
Dublin: A Nolan; C O’Callaghan, M Carton, P Schutte; C Crummey, P Kelly (0-02), C Keaney; S Durkin (0-01), S Lambert (0-01); C Cronin, E Dillon (0-03), D Sutcliffe (0-04); D Treacy (0-11, 4f, 3 ’65), L Rushe, M Schutte (0-03).
Substitutes: C Boland for Cronin (53); P Ryan for Treacy (67).
Kilkenny: E Murphy; T Keogh, P Murphy, J Tyrrell; B Kennedy, K Joyce, C Buckley; G Brennan, L Ryan; Padraig Walsh (0-01), W Walsh (0-01), M Ruth (2-00); M Kelly (0-01), J Farrell (0-01), R Hogan (1-07, 1-0pen, 5f, 1 65). Subs: J Power for Brennan (44); J Lyng for Kennedy (44).
Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)
