Cody content as Cats off mark
Fielding just eight of those who started in last year’s All-Ireland final, most of those in the defence, the hosts made heavy weather of what was a stubborn Offaly challenge.
Only three points separated the sides at the break, Kilkenny ahead 0-10 to 0-7, free-takers Richie Power (Kilkenny) and Shane Dooley (Offaly) doing most of the scoring with seven and six points respectively from placed balls.