New-look Cats labour to opening day win over Offaly

The difficult underfoot conditions militated against decent fare at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Cathal King of Offaly is tackled by Kilkenny players, from left, Gearóid Dunne, Liam Moore of Kilkenny and Cathal Beirne of Kilkenny during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Kilkenny and Offaly at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Allianz HL Division 1A: Kilkenny 0-20 Offaly 0-16 

January and hurling mix as well as water and oil and the case in point was this attritional encounter in UPMC Nowlan Park.