Kilkenny blew up a hurling storm when backed by the wind in the second half, and 12 minutes of devastating play more or less decided this up and down Division 1 Allianz Hurling League clash at UPMC Nowlan Park.
Offaly made good use of the elements and dominated the first half. They took a six point lead into the break against hesitant, lackluster opponents. However, Kilkenny exploded after the turn.
When Eoin Cody blasted home a super solo goal in the 48th minute to shoot the Cats 1-18 to 0-15 ahead the home side were pointed firmly in the direction of a victory that leaves them top of the table with Clare.
These two teams meet in what should be a mouth-watering clash in Ennis in two weeks time, a fixture that could decide who finishes on top of the table.
Offaly had first use of the strong down field wind, and they made good use of the advantage. With the help of eight points from deadly free taker Eoghan Cahill they took the game to the opposition and were well worth their interval lead of 0-14 to 0-08.
Early on the teams shared equally in four points. After that Offaly took over, and 28 minutes passed before the subdued home side was able to put two scores together, which they did via free taker Billy Drennan.
Along with Cahill, the strong running Charlie Mitchell and Jack Clancy caused trouble up front for the visitors, while Cillian Kiely and Ben Conneely were very strong in the middle of their defence. Kiely retired with an ankle injury in the 27th minute, and his loss was felt.
Kilkenny were troubled by Offaly's smooth and determined hurling, and on two separate occasions they were eight points adrift. Midfielder Mikey Carey and attacker Adrian Mullen were the losers' best performers in this half when their attack looked toothless, although they did shoot eight wides without working the Offaly goalie once.
The second half was totally different. Within 90 seconds Kilkenny posted points by John Donnelly, Shane Murphy and Billy Drennan (free) to set a frightening pace of play and scoring. Goalie Darren Brennan even got in on the scoring act when he hit the target from 90 metres.
When Cody beat his man and sold a dummy before striking to the top right hand corner of the net, the advantage was firmly with the home team.
So it turned out to be, and were it not for fine Offaly ’keeper, Mark Troy, Walter Walsh (56th minute) and Billy Drennan (62nd minute) might have added to the home side’s goal tally.
Kilkenny: D Brennan (0-01, free); M Butler, C Delaney, T Walsh; D Blanchfield (0-01), D Corcoran, S Murphy (0-01); P McDonald, M Carey; A Mullen (0-06) C Kenny, J Donnelly (0-02); B Drennan (0-11, seven frees, two 65s), L Blanchfield, E Cody (1-01).
Subs: W Walsh (0-01) for McDonald 26th min; M Keoghan for W Walsh (inj) 57th min; T Clifford (0-01) for L Blanchfield 59th min; K Blanchfield (0-01) for C Kenny 62nd min; P Moylan for M Carey 66th min.
Offaly: M Troy; D Ravenhill (0-02), B Conneely, S Bourke; J Sampson (0-01), C Kiely (0-01), K Sampson; C King, D Nally; A Screeney (0-01), E Kelly (0-01), J Clancy (0-01); E Cahill (0-10, nine frees), B Duignan, C Mitchell (1-2).
Subs: D Bourke for C Kiely (inj) 27th min; P Delaney for J Clancy 43rd min; O Kelly for D Nally 54th min; D Maher for D Ravenhill 65th min.
Referee: M Kennedy ((Tipperary).
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