Hurling round-up: Wins for Kilkenny, Cork and Dublin
Monday 25 February 2019 11:04, UK
Kilkenny edged Tipperary, Cork overcame Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds and Dublin upset Waterford in the Allianz Hurling League.
Tipperary 0-17 Kilkenny 0-18, Division 1A
The two great rivals played out a cagey affair at Semple Stadium, with the Cats edging it at the break, 0-9 to 0-8. Tipperary came storming back in the second half with John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer impressing, and the Premier opened a three-point lead.
Seamus Callanan was inaccurate from placed balls at times, as the Cats hung in the clash. As the tie entered injury-time, Noel McGrath gave Tipp a one-point lead. However, Richie Hogan levelled it and Eoin Murphy nailed a long-range free at the death to snatch victory.
Limerick 1-21 Cork 2-21, Division 1A
For all the talk throughout the week of Limerick's dominance, it was the Rebels who stormed into an early lead at the Gaelic Grounds. A goal from Patrick Horgan helped them establish a 1-4 to 0-1 advantage.
Peter Casey found the net to bring the Treaty back into the tie, but a Conor Lehane goal in the second half gave the visitors a 2-15 to 1-12 lead.
The All-Ireland champions battled back, and with four minutes to play they pulled it level. However, Cork were able to kick on, and points from Horgan, Cormac Murphy, Daniel Kearney and Lehane were enough to see them over the line.
Clare 2-22 Wexford 1-22, Division 1A
A spirited second-half fightback was not enough to salvage a result for Wexford, as Yellowbellies manager Davy Fitzgerald was in the opposition dugout at Cusack Park.
Goals from John Conlon and Peter Duggan proved crucial, as the Banner returned to winning ways as they recorded another Ennis win, 2-22 to 1-22.
Dublin 1-26 Waterford 4-15, Division 1B
Dublin recorded their first significant win of the Mattie Kenny era at Parnell Park. The home side enjoyed ascendancy in the first half, but the concession of three goals meant Waterford kept in touch at the Donnycarney venue. The Dubs went in 0-14 to 3-3 ahead at the break.
A Liam Rushe goal helped the Dubs as the second half wore on, but the visitors took the lead with nine minutes to go. Nonetheless, the Sky Blues did not give up, and Alan Nolan saved a penalty deep into injury-time to ensure victory.
Offaly 0-14 Galway 2-20, Division 1B
Galway were too strong for Offaly in Tullamore, and the Faithful County are now set for the relegation play-off. The Tribesmen stormed into an early lead, and a Conor Whelan goal gave them a 1-12 to 0-4 advantage at the break.
While the home side fought to the end, the gap was too big to reel in, as a late Brian Concannon goal capped off the victory.
Laois 0-17 Carlow 0-17, Division 1B
In a clash which looked set to decide the final quarter-final berth from Division 1B, Carlow and Laois played out a tight affair in Netwatch Cullen Park. The O'Moore County edged in front in the first half, going in two points to the good at the break.
However, Colm Bonnar's side fought their way back into the tie to earn a draw. Carlow's final game is against Offaly, and they know they must get a result to leapfrog Laois in the final round.
