Kilkenny v Dublin- NHL Talking Points

Main Man- Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny) The return of Huw Lawlor brought a lot of calm to the Kilkenny defence. The O’Loughlin Gaels man has spent his time sporadically at centre back over the course of the league but his move to full back worked wonders and he showed why he is one of the best players in the country in that position as he marked the dangerous Ronan Hayes out of the game. The entire Kilkenny defence had storming games with Mikey Carey, David Blanchfield and Paddy Deegan all playing a part while the old heads of Walter and Padraig Walsh showed their class in attack.

Highlight- There was a lot of question marks hanging around the Kilkenny team in the build up to Saturday’s clash with many observers predicting a Dubin win so the fact that Kilkenny turned them over with such ease was very notable. It was a ferocious Kilkenny display that had all the hallmarks of good Kilkenny teams and building on that base will be the aim for Brian Cody and his team of selectors.

Lowlight- Performance wise there was practically no negatives to be taken from a 13 point victory but not for the first time in 2022, a couple of Kilkenny players left the field with injury and that profile of the squad will be something of a worry.  

Turning Point- While Kilkenny were in full control of the opening half, Dublin hit the first three points of the second half Walter Walsh’goal stalled aby chance they had of getting back into the game.

Talking Point- The victory continues Kilkenny’s excellent recent record against the Dubs in competitive action and it bodes well for when they return to the Capital for Round 4 of the Leinster Hurling Championship on Saturday the 14th of May.

What’s Next- Kilkenny meet Waterford in a repeat of the 2020 All-Ireland semi-final at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday week while at the same time Dublin meet Laois.