Kilkenny’s demolition of Derry shows gulf in class
KILKENNY took no pity on Derry as two goals each for Shane Walsh and Billy Ryan saw Eddie Brennan’s side to a 52-point win at Semple Stadium.
The forwards helped themselves to eight goals, while all but five of their points came from play in a ruthless display.
Playing with an orthodox set-up, Derry were pulled apart frequently and with ease by the Kilkenny forwards. A point from Huw Lawlor started Kilkenny on their way after 11 seconds, but a minute later John Donnelly struck the first of five firsthalf goals for the Cats.
Walsh hit the net from a tight angle in the ninth minute and less than 60 seconds later Richie Leahy galloped through the middle to open out a 3-1 to 0-2 lead.
Points from Corey Reilly and Darragh Cartin brought Derry’s tally to three by the 16th minute, but Kilkenny were totally dominant and Ryan’s two goals were followed by a flurry of points as they led 5-11 to 0-4 at the interval.
With the wind at their backs, Kilkenny didn’t let up their assault and five points from John Donnelly inside the first 10 minutes of the half, added to Walsh’s second goal saw the misery pile up.
kilkenny: D Brennan; M Cody, C Delaney, N McMahon (0-1); D Mullen (0-1), J Cleere, T Walsh; L Scanlon (1-1), H Lawlor (0-1); B Ryan (2-0), S Morrissey (0-1), R Leahy (1-2); S Walsh (2-7, 4f), J Donnelly (1-7), L Blanchfield (0-6). SubS: J Walsh (0-3) for Ryan 21, A Nolan for Cleere 23, E Kenny (1-1) for Morrissey h-t, A Murphy (0-3) for Leahy h-t, R Bergin (0-1) for T Walsh 48. Derry: F McEldowney; C Kelly, S McGuigan, S Higgins; E McGill, R McCartney, P Turner; C Steele (0-1), C McAllister; T Magee, C O’Doherty (0-3), G Farren; D Cartin (0-1), O McKeever, C Reilly (0-1). SubS: B Laverty (0-1) for Magee h-t, P Burke for Gabriel Farren h-t, C McCrystal for F McEldowney 38, S McKeever for Turner 43, S Quinn for McGuigan 53. referee: John O’Brien (Laois).