A fine crowd turned out on Sunday last to witness Kilkenny lead by six points to two after 20 minutes in their bid to retain the Walsh Cup. However, in the run up to the break a scoring tally and a Ger Healion goal saw the half time score read Kilkenny 0-10, Offaly 1-6.
In the restart an early point saw the sides level before Martin Boran goaled for Kilkenny who went on to add further points. After an Offaly rally that saw the sides level at 1-13 each it was the home side who finished the better with a three point victory. It has been 11 years since Offaly have beaten Kilkenny in a senior contest. However, Kilkenny supporters need not worry as the Cats will be back in form in no time. The Cats will now play GMIT (Galway/Mayo Institute Technology ) in the Walsh Shield on Sunday.
Teams: Kilkenny: David Herrity, Kieran Joyce, Canice Hickey, Damien Fogarty, John Dalton, PJ Delaney 0-1 Free, David Prendergast, John Tennyson, Lester Ryan, Michael Grace 0-2, Eoin McGrath 0-1, John Mulhall 0-3, Martin Boran 1-1, Richie Hogan 0-4, Mark Bergin 0-1. Subs used: Niall Walsh, Martin Walsh, Matthew Ruth.
Offaly: James Dempsey; Stephen Egan, Eanna Murphy, Stephen Wynne; James Rigney, Joe Bergin 0-3, Derek Morkan; Ger Oakley 0-1, James Keane; Rory Hanniffy 0-2, Joe Brady, Shane Kelly 0-2; Cathal Parlon 0-3, Ger Healion 1-0, Daniel Currams (0-4, frees ). Subs used: Kevin Brady 0-1, Fergal Daly, Paul Cleary.
