Kilkenny show their class as Laois lose out at home

Laois were second best in a very one sided Allianz National Hurling League clash with Kilkenny in Laois Hire O'Moore Park this afternoon.

The result sees Laois remain pointless at the bottom of the Division 1B Table and Willie Maher's men now facing into a must win game with Antrim in a fortnight as they seek to maintain their league status.

Kilkenny 0-34

Laois 1-18

Laois competed well in their recent defeat to Waterford and although they started well with points from Stephen Maher and Fiachra C Fennell, it wasn't long until Kilkenny's class really began to tell.

From trailing by just a point in the 7th minute, Kilkenny then outscored the hosts 0-17 to 0-4 over the course of the rest of the half.

Maher finished with ten points for the O'Moore County and his accuracy from placed balls helped his side remain competitive but Laois were chasing shadows for the majority of the opening half with Billy Drennan, Paddy Mullen and John Donnelly all starring for the firing Cats.

Laois will not have been happy with their first half display and they did regain a bit of respectability in the second period with a spirited effort.

Straight away from the resumption, Laois raced up the field and centre back Patrick Purcell blasted a shot past Eoin Murphy in the Kilkenny goal.

Another goal chance followed a couple of minutes later with Tomas Keyes shooting narrowly wide and had they scored there, there might have been a glimmer of hope for a comeback.

In the end Laois added further points from Maher, Purcell, Enda Rowland and Ryan Mullaney but those efforts were only on a consolation basis as Kilkenny kept the scoreboard ticking over with 13 players on the scoresheet for the winners.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Billy Drennan (0-11, three frees), Eoin Cody (0-4, two frees), Martin Keoghan (0-4), John Donnelly (0-3), Billy Ryan, Paddy Deegan, Paddy Mullen (0-2 each), Eoin Murphy (0-1, one free), Padraig Walsh, Tommy Walsh, Cillian Buckley, Gearoid Dunne, Alan Murphy (0-1 each)

Laois- Stephen Maher (0-10, eight frees and one 65), Patrick Purcell (1-1), Enda Rowland (0-2, two frees), Fiachra C Fennell, Tomas Keyes, James Keyes, Ryan Mullaney, Aaron Dunphy (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Eoin Murphy; Niall Rowe, Conor Delaney, Padraig Walsh; Tommy Walsh, Richie Reid, Cillian Buckley; Paddy Deegan, Paddy Mullen; Billy Ryan, John Donnelly, Eoin Cody; Billy Drennan, Martin Keoghan, Gearoid Dunne.

Subs- Shane Murphy for T.Walsh h-t, Alan Murphy for Mullen 46 mins, Timmy Clifford for Dunne 51 mins, Walter Walsh for Drennan 56 mins, Cian Kenny for Donnelly 62 mins.

Laois- Enda Rowland; Donnchadh Hartnett, Padraig Delaney, Fiachra C Fennell; Padraic Dunne, Patrick Purcell, Ian Shanahan; Liam O'Connell, Tomas Keyes; James Keyes, Jack Kelly, Ryan Mullaney; Ross King, Martin Phelan, Stephen Maher.

Subs- Padraig Lalor for Dunne h-t, Aaron Dunphy for Fennell h-t, Eanna Lyons for J.Keyes 44 mins, James Duggan for T.Keyes 52 mins, Dan Delaney for King 65 mins.

Referee- Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)