Murphy on the mark as Cody’s rookie Cats claw back promising Offaly start
ALAN MURPHY scored seven points as holders Kilkenny came good in the second-half to hold off hosts Offaly at O’Connor Park..
The feel-good factor surrounding the commencement of Kevin Martin’s reign with the faithful continued into the opening period of this tie.
The home side led at one stage by six points, thanks to a goal by Conor Mahon and points from Thomas Geraghty, Shane Kinsella and goalkeeper Eoin Cahill.
They were well on top and Martin, a combative half-back in his days as a two-time All-Ireland and All-Star winner with Offaly, would have been buoyed by the efforts of his defensive unit against an admittedly unheralded Kilkenny attacking unit.
However, the rookies in black and amber stirred themselves in the second quarter and a goal just before the interval by Ger Malone had them trailing by just 1-10 to 1-9 at the break.
The scoreline undoubtedly flattered the visitors but with Cody’s instructions fresh in their minds, they resumed the second period in promising fashion with four points on the trot.
Offaly always kept in touch and Shane Dooley planted a penalty beyond Eoin Murphy to bring the sides level.
With Murphy, Richie Reid and Richie Leahy proving accurate in front of the posts (the latter two hit eight points from play between them), Kilkenny were always able to keep their opponents at arm’s length. They had enough breathing space to absorb a third goal to the excellent as they progressed to the decider.