It was top versus bottom at Buckley Park, Kilkenny and it was the Cats who went home purring having held John Gill’s high-flying Dundalk to a scoreless draw in a cracker in the rain.
Tommy Gaynor's new-look Kilkenny City side put up stubborn resistance throughout but they had some close shaves in the opening half when Paul Smyth missed a glorious opportunity after a low cross by Philip Hughes.
John Flanagan effort hit the top of the crossbar after a free-kick by David Crawley.
Kilkenny enjoyed an excellent spell for 20 minutes of the second half and they almost stole the show when youngster Ian Barnes volleyed just over the top after good work by sub Ramie O'Brien.
But it was Dundalk who almost had the final word in the fourth minute of injury-time when former Kilkenny player Trevor Vaughan headed a corner off the City crossbar.
A late winner for the Lilywhites would have been a cruel blow for stubborn City who fought bravely throughout and had the man-of-the-match in goalkeeper Anthony Fennelly.
