Kilkenny see off stiff Kildare challenge to win Walsh Cup Shield

Kilkenny warmed up for next week's Allianz Hurling League with a four point victory over Kildare in a very competitive Walsh Cup Shield Final in Callan.

The Cats were put to the pin of their collar for long spells but a dominant final quarter where they outscored the Lilywhites 0-9 to 0-2 rubberstamped the success with Eoin Cody proving very influential off the bench.

Brian Dowling's Kildare team threw everything at the Cats up to that stage and even led at the break on the back of a James Dolan goal and numerous points from Jack Sheridan and Gerry Keegan.

A Mossy Keoghan goal had given Kilkenny a head start while Michael Brennan, Liam Moore, Cian Kenny and Killian Doyle added further to the tally but the visitors still maintained control as they led 1-9 to 1-7 at the change of ends.

It didn't take long for Kilkenny to eat into the lead in the second period when after bringing on a number of subs they began to turn the tide with three Eoin Cody scores and a Mossy Keoghan effort levelling up matters.

Kildare dreams of a first ever win over the Cats grew a notch when Caolan Smith batted a long range Jack Sheridan free to the net in the 42nd minute but that only served to spring Kilkenny to life as they responded with three points on the spin via Cody, Ed McDermott and Richie Reid.

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Gerry Keegan edged Kildare back in front minutes later but their brave effort soon ran out of gas when McDermott and Cody combined for the next five points on the spin to put the game beyond Kildare's reach.

Niall Shortall then added to the tally late on as Kilkenny won out on a 1-20 to 2-13 scoreline in the end and now all attention turns to the league opener with Offaly next Sunday.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny: Eoin Cody (0-7, 4fs); Mossy Keoghan (1-1); Michael Brennan (0-3, 2fs); Ed McDermott (0-3); Liam Moore (0-2); Killian Doyle, Richie Reid, Cian Kenny, Niall Shortall (0-1 each)

Kildare: Jack Sheridan (0-5, 4fs); Gerry Keegan (0-5); James Dolan (1-1); Caolan Smith (1-0); Paul Dolan, Muiris Curtin (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Rory Garrett (Fenians), Mikey Carey (Young Irelands), Killian Corcoran (Shamrocks Ballyhale); Peter McDonald (Thomastown), Darragh Corcoran (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Michael Brennan (Erin's Own); Killian Doyle (Emeralds), Jordan Molloy (O'Loughlin Gaels); Timmy Clifford (Dicksboro), Liam Moore (Dicksboro), Cian Kenny (James Stephens); Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Mossy Keoghan (Tullaroan).

Subs: Eoin Cody (Shamrocks Ballyhale) for Murphy, h-t; Paddy Deegan (O'Loughlin Gaels) for Clifford, h-t; Niall Shortall (Shamrocks Ballyhale) for Brennan, h-t; Mikey Butler (O'Loughlin Gaels) for K.Corcoran, h-t; Ed McDermott (James Stephens) for Kenny, 31 mins; Richie Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale) for McDonald, 43 mins; John Donnelly (Thomastown) for S.Donnelly, 43 mins; Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro) for Moore, 48 mins; Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan) for Doyle, 49 mins.

Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Liam O'Reilly, Rian Boran, Dan O'Meara; Paul Dolan, Cian Boran, Alan Goss; Daire Guerin, Cathal McCabe; Jack Travers, Gerry Keegan, Caolan Smith; Jack Sheridan, Muiris Curtin, James Dolan.

Subs: Tim Ryan for Smith, 44 mins; Conan Boran for Travers, 50 mins; Tom Power for Curtin, 61 mins.

Referee: Adam Kinahan (Offaly)