Cats get the cream in nervy win

Kilkenny 0-15 Limerick 0-14

All-Ireland champions Kilkenny were given a stern test by Limerick at Nowlan Park this afternoon, with a last-gasp point from Michael Grace giving the Cats a nervy win.

Grace was called upon to rescue the two league points for Brian Cody's men, a full seven minutes into injury-time.

Limerick, who once again showed great battling qualities, had managed to tie up the game at 0-14 apiece thanks to an Andrew O'Shaughnessy effort.

O'Shaughnessy was arguably the best forward on show, accurate from distance with points and a key target man throughout for Justin McCarthy's men.

He scored 0-5 in all but the Shannonsiders struck a total of nine wides in the second half and that wastefulness came back to haunt them at the finish.

The Cats built up a 0-9 to 0-7 half-time lead but with Stephen Lucey and Tom Condon starring in the Limerick defence, the home side remained on 0-9 until the 52nd minute.

After Limerick had gone ahead at 0-11 to 0-9, Kilkenny, who brought on Andy Comerford to steady their attack, clawed their way back into the lead.

They scrambled a goal chance for O'Shaughnessy away from the danger area and Inistiogue man Grace, who actually played for the TG4 Underdogs against Kilkenny in 2005, grabbed the headlines in injury-time.