Three-time All-Star Brendan Cummins put on a goalkeeping masterclass but still ended up on the losing side as Kilkenny overcame Tipperary by 0-19 to 0-10 in this NHL Division 1B clash in Thurles.
The Tipperary goalkeeper, who turns 31 in May, drew the plaudits at he pulled off a string of stunning saves in the first half. It was five in all for the Ballybacon/Grange clubman.
Cummins twice parried penalty efforts from Richie Power, thwarted the same player on 25 minutes, Eoin Reid, four minutes later, and a combination of Reid and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick on 31 minutes when he produced a brilliant double save.
However, the heroic Cummins could do little about the Cats' points scoring and Tipp's lack of it in the closing 25 minutes - Babs Keating's side mustered only a single point from the 46th minute onwards.
Kilkenny, showing five changes from last weekend's home win against Laois, led 0-10 to 0-3 at the break and built on their lead with Power finishing with 0-7 to his name. Fitzpatrick scored 0-4.
Corner-forward Seamus Butler top-scored for Tipp with six points - four of those coming from frees.
Conor O'Mahony (2 frees), Benny Dunne and Shane McGrath, who made his league debut in the draw with Limerick last Sunday, were also on the mark for the home side.
In the next round Kilkenny face a trip to Limerick (March 12), while Tipperary must visit unbeaten Antrim, who are level on four points with the Cats at the business end of Division 1B.
