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.

The difficult underfoot conditions militated against decent fare, although a relatively unfamiliar Kilkenny side negotiated them best to begin their campaign with the two points.

The Cats’ home record had been poor last year (one win from three games) but they managed to protect and improve their half-time lead, 0-9 to 0-6, with some help from known auxiliaries in Paddy Deegan and Richie Reid steadying matters towards the end.

Twice via an Adam Screeney point from play, Offaly sliced the gap to a point midway through the second half. They came in a period where Offaly’s defenders were getting to grips with their opposite markers.

Daniel Bourke was also prominent around the middle and a long-range point from Patrick Taaffe in the 57th minute brought them to within a solitary point once more.

Offaly's Adam Screeney and Kilkenny's Mikey Butler. Pic: ©INPHO

Deegan, Eoin Cody (free) and Martin Keoghan lifted some of the unease in the stadium. Stephen Donnelly’s goal attempt in the 70th minute was kept out but advantage was being played and Cody, who teed him up, arrowed over his 10th point.

Shane Murphy backed it up and Kilkenny saw out the win although Liam Hoare kept a clean sheet as he denied Keoghan in the final minute.

At half-time, there was general ennui in the stands. The first period had produced 15 scores and 12 wides where keeping things simple was the wisest option.

Kilkenny didn’t open their account until the 12th minute and failed to score from play for the first 14 minutes but led 0-4 to 0-2 after 19 minutes.

All of their scores came from Cody, who had a shot kept out by Hoare in the 11th minute. Liam Moore also forced Hoare to snuff out a strike six minutes later as Kilkenny gained the initiative.

Adam Screeney’s marksmanship was keeping Offaly in touch and Luke Watkins advanced to score his second point and level matters in the 28th minute.

Offaly were struggling to get the ball out of the half and Cody punished an illegal pick-up in the 29th minute. Jordan Molloy doubled his personal tally two minutes later and Keoghan provided his first seconds later.

Screeney (free) and Dunne swapped scores before Chris Mooney mercifully called an end to a half that was easily forgotten.

Scorers for Kilkenny: E. Cody (0-10, 7 frees, 1 65); J. Molloy, M. Keoghan (0-3 each); G. Dunne, C. Beirne, P. Deegan, S. Murphy (0-1 each).

Scorers for Offaly: A. Screeney (0-9, 6 frees); L. Watkins (0-2); D. Ravenhill, D. Bourke, O. Kelly, P. Taaffe, C. Cleary (0-1 each).

KILKENNY: A. Tallis; M. Butler, M. Carey, R. Garrett; D. Barcoe, D. Corcoran (c), S. Murphy; K. Doyle, J. Molloy; L. Connellan, E. Cody, C. Beirne; L. Moore, M. Keoghan, G. Dunne.

Subs for Kilkenny: N. Shortall for M. Keoghan (temp 28-29); E. McDermot for L. Moore, S. Donnelly for G. Dunne (both 48); P. Deegan for R. Garrett (50); N. Shortall for L. Connellan (55); R. Reid for D. Barcoe (61).

OFFALY: L. Hoare; B. Miller, B. Conneely, P. Taaffe; D. Ravenhill, D. Shirley, B. Kavanagh; L. Watkins, C. King (c); C. Doyle, B. Duignan, R. Ravenhill; D. Bourke, O. Kelly, A. Screeney.

Subs for Offaly: C. Spain for D. Shirley (25); D. Hand for B. Duignan (48); L. Kavanagh for L. Watkins (53); E. Kelly for B. Kavanagh (66); C. Cleary for C. King (68).

Referee: C. Mooney (Dublin).