Cats comprehensively beaten in Cup bow

Kilkenny's bow in the 2010 O’Byrne Cup did not bring great fortune for the Cats who succumbed to a comprehensive 1-23 to 0-6 defeat to Offaly at Thomastown today.

Tom Cribbin's side were well primed for this tie with Niall McNamee and Ken Casey leading the Offaly charge with five points each in a game where the visitors always looked comfortable.

A sixth minute goal from Sean Ryan gave Offaly a 1-12 to 0-1 half-time lead, with Kilkenny's lone first half point coming from Graham Lawlor in the 12th minute.

Lawlor added three points in the second half for the hosts, with scores also from defender JJ Grace and substitute Paul Donnelly.

However, Offaly always looked comfortable and will face a tougher challenge from DCU next weekend.