The Kilkenny intermediate hurlers got the ball rolling when they won the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling title for the third time when they defeated Cork at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday evening in front of a crowd of 1,580.
While this was an excellent team performance full forward Peter Cleere played a crucial role scoring two goals, one in the second minute and the other in the sixtieth minute, which helped his side to a seven point victory.
Cleere's opening score started the game well and the Cats led by 1-3 to 0-2 after seven minutes with points also coming from Nicky Cleere (a free ), Richie Dollard and Kieran Mooney from a long range free. The Rebels responded well and thanks mainly to frees from full forward Eoin Conway led by 0-7 to 1-3 at the end of the first quarter. Indeed their lead might have been greater had it not been for an excellent save by Kilkenny goalie Liam Tierney.
Kilkenny manager Pat Hoban and his selectors made an astute switch at this stage repositioning Pat Hartley to centre back and moving Ray Cody upfield. From this Kilkenny finished the half slightly the better side to lead 1-6 to 0-8 thanks to points from Richie Dollard, Alan Healy and Bill Beckett.
Exchanges were even on the resumption but while Cork drew level on three occasions in the third quarter they never got the lead. Gradually Kilkenny began to pull ahead thanks mainly to some excellent long range points from Niall Walsh, Michael Grace and Bill Beckett and three good frees from Alan Healy. With five minutes of normal time remaining Kilkenny led by 1-13 to 0-12 and Cork's number six was sent off for two yellow cards. The title seemed destined to return to the Noreside but there was to be one more twist in the tale when Cork hit a late goal from substitute Eoin Clancy to cut Kilkenny's lead to two points. However, the Cats didn't panic and a second goal from Skeoughvosteen clubman Peter Cleere followed by two late Bill Beckett points (one from a free ) sealed victory for Kilkenny and captain Bill Beckett from the St Lactain' s club collected the cup.
Kilkenny team and scorers: Liam Tierney (Rower Inistioge ), Mark Phelan (Glenmore ), Paul Murphy ( Danesfort ), Kieran Mooney (Conahy Shamrocks ) 0-1, John Cottrell (Tullogher Rosbercon ), Ray Cody (Graiguenamanagh ), Niall Doherty (Galmoy ), Pat Hartley (Tullogher Rosbercon ), Niall Walsh (Slieverue ) 0-1, Bill Beckett (St Lactains ) 0-4 (0-1free ) Richie Dollard (Tullogher Rosbercon ) 0-2, Nicky Cleere (Bennettsbridge ) 0-1 free ), Michael Grace (Rower Inistioge ) 0-2 , Peter Cleere (Blacks & Whites ) 2-0, Alan Healy (Conahy Shamrocks ) 0-4 (0-3 frees ). Subs Brian Lennon (Bennettsbridge ) 0-1 for Ray Cody, Noel Doherty (Galmoy ) 0-1 for Nicky Cleere.
