Kilkenny City 2-2 Monaghan United

A John MacNicholas goal after 67 minutes gave Kilkenny City a share of the spoils in this First Division basement clash at Buckley Park.

The Cats had taken the lead after 13 minutes through Martin Tynan after a Stephen Grant corner, but they held that lead for only four minutes when Barry Burke jumped unchallenged to head home a free kick.

It was Monaghan who edged in front after 53 minutes when Brian Gannon converted from close range with the home defence again found wanting. Former Kilkenny player Willie Doyle almost increased the visitors lead when his free-kick rebounded off Kilkenny’s left upright.

But with both teams struggling badly, it was Kilkenny who grabbed an equaliser when MacNicholas placed past goalkeeper Alvin Rouse.

Before the game there was a minute’s silence for former Kilkenny City Under-21 manager Jim Carew and former Kilkenny & District League chairman Jim Maher of Spa United. Both died on Friday morning.