Galvin returns for Limerick

The return of Limerick’s John Galvin from a nine month cruciate injury lay-off was the biggest talking point from this Allianz Football League mismatch at Newcastlewest on Saturday.

Galvin was introduced in the 41st minute against a hapless Kilkenny side who trailed by 18 points at the break (1-15 to 0-0) with Ian Ryan scoring the game’s only goal.

There was little respite for the visitors after the break with another returning star, Stephen Kelly, to the fore. The avalanche of home scores continued uninterrupted until Kieran Bergin had Kilkenny’s only score with ten minutes remaining.

LIMERICK: B Scanlon; J McCarthy (0-1), S Nix, L O’Dwyer; S Lavin (0-1), J Riordan (0-1), P Ranahan; S Buckley (0-3, 1f), B Fitzpatrick; S Kelly (0-6), M Quilligan (0-3), E Barry; G Collins (0-5), J Cooke (0-2), I Ryan (1-7, 4f).

Subs: D O’Sullivan for B Scanlon (ht), J Galvin for E Barry (41), S Lucey for J Cooke (47), P Kinnerk for B Fitzpatrick (53), K Nolan for M Quilligan (57).

KILKENNY: JJ O’Sullivan; D Grennan, P Donnelly, JJ Grace; S Duggan; K O’Brien, R O’Hara, S Duggan; M Malone, K Bergin (0-1); D Fitzpatrick, C Tyler (ht), R Shore; R O’Keeffe, J Culleton, J Dollard.

Sub: P McBride for C Tyler (ht).

Referee: É O’Grady (Leitrim).