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Disappointing Dublin Tamed By...

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Disappointing Dublin Tamed By Cats

98FM
98FM

05:56 20 Mar 2016


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Kilkenny: 0-23
Dublin 1-14
 
Derek Ryan at Nowlan Park
 
 
Dublin will meet Limerick in the Allianz Hurling League quarter finals next month, after falling to a 0-23 to 1-14 defeat to All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at Nowlan Park this afternoon. 
 
Both Kilkenny and Dublin had already qualified for the quarter finals heading into this game, but a win would have seen the Boys in Blue finish top of Division 1A. 
 
However, in truth, that never really looked likely, with Kilkenny in command throughout after a terrific opening. 
 
It was a disastrous first half for Dublin, who took 7 minutes to register their first score- a point from Niall McMorrow, which cancelled out TJ Reid's opener for Kilkenny. 
 
However the Cats took control of the game after that, hitting 6 points in-a-row, to lead by 7 points to 1 after 20 minutes. 
 
Dublin were given a lifeline then, when Fiontan McGibb hit the net from close range after 21 minutes to reduce the gap to 3 points. 
 
But Kilkenny rattled off another 6 points in-a-row as a reply to put themselves firmly in the driving seat. 
 
Much of Dublin's woe was of their own doing, as they made mistakes all over the pitch, hitting 11 first half wides and making several defensive errors to let the Cats in for scores. 
 
Those mistakes saw Kilkenny lead by 0-14 to 1-03 at the break. 
 
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
 
Ger Cunningham will have been relieved with a far better second half showing from his Dublin side, as they rallied to match the Cats score for score. 
 
Eamon Dillon eked out some scoring chances, hitting 3 points overall, while David Treacy also impressed in the second half with 5 points (4f). 
 
However, Kilkenny rarely looked in real danger and try as they might Dublin couldn't claw back the Cats, who had TJ Reid in fine form- the 2015 Hurler of the Year racking up 11 points (6f). 
 
The Boys in Blue outscored Brian Cody's men in the second half- and reduced the lead to 5 points late on. 
 
However, the Cats were deserving winners and were comfortable in the end, as they condemned Dublin to their second Allianz League defeat of the year on a scoreline of 0-23 to 1-14. 
 
The loss leaves Dublin third in Division 1A- and they will now face Division 1B runners-up Limerick in the quarter finals. 
 
Kilkenny finished top of Division 1A and will take on Offaly in the last eight. 

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