February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Cody’s brow was furrowed as both James Ryall and J.J. Delaney were yellow-carded during the second half and replaced for the remainder of the game.
“The lads have no idea why they were sent off and, to be honest, neither do I,” he said.
At least the manager’s mood was tempered by the two goals that snuffed out a determined Waterford challenge.
The home team was 4 points clear after 50 minutes, but strikes by John Hoyne and Derek Lyng made the difference as Kilkenny outscored their opponents by 2-6 to 0-3 in the final 20 minutes. To compound Waterford’s frustration, one of their star performers, Ken McGrath, injured his shoulder in a collision with Jimmy Coogan.
Even in the injured Henry Shefflin’s absence, Kilkenny did enough to gain the points as Richie Power took over the freetaking duties to land five scores while Eoin Kelly and McGrath with 0-8 and 0-4, respectively, were Waterford’s leading marksmen.
GALWAY 3-19, DUBLIN 0-12
If Waterford were philosophical enough about their defeat, Dublin will once again have to take a collective look in the mirror following a hammering at the hands and hurls of Galway at Pearse Stadium.
Even though they are concentrating on bolstering fitness levels at present, Dublin were still extremely disappointing. Galway’s scores came far too easily and while they were just four points clear at the break, second-half goals by Kevin Broderick and Damien Hayes, to add to an earlier effort from David Forde, killed off the visitors’ slender hopes.
CLARE 1-16, LAOIS 2-11
Laois were unlucky not to come away from Cusack Park in Ennis with a first win of the season as they were pipped by Clare, who needed a late goal by substitute Daithi O’Connell to save their blushes.
Goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney, from the penalty spot, and sub Cathal Brophy scored goals for Laois, who were on course for a shock result when Clare finally responded with three badly needed points and O’Connell’s goal in the closing minutes.
DIV. 1B
CORK 1-20, LIMERICK 0-10
All-Ireland champions Cork fielded 10 of last year’s championship side as they cruised past Limerick at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Significantly, it was a player who had been out of the Cork picture for several years who made the most telling contribution.
Neil Ronan, who was recalled at full-forward by new manager John Allen following his return from Australia, hit an highly impressive seven points from play while Ben O’Connor shot powerfully for the game’s only goal. Limerick lacked any shape and conviction and if hadn’t been for Mark Keane’s 7 points, including six frees, the result would have been even more of an embarrassment.
TIPPERARY 3-17, DOWN 2-12
With two goals from Eoin Clarke in the bag and leading by a point going into stoppage time, Down were desperately unlucky not to have registered a surprise win over Tipperary, who breathlessly came through at Thurles.
In fact, it took three Tipp goals during an extended injury time period because of an injury to Down’s Martin Coulter to save the day. Evan Sweeney, Michael Webster and Dara Egan came to their side’s rescue with the all-important scores.
WEXFORD 2-12, ANRIM 1-9
The first-half sin-binning of Antrim’s most accomplished player, Karl McKeegan, derailed the Ulster county’s challenge as they were beaten by Wexford at Loughgiel. Despite leading by 1-7 to 1-6 at the break, Antrim fell away in the heavy underfoot conditions.
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Div. 2
Two goals by Damien Murray inspired Offaly over Derry, 2-18 to 0-11, at Birr, while Westmeath were much too strong for Kildare in Mullingar coming through by 3-15 to 1-5. In Div. 2B, London opened their campaign with a prized 0-14 to 1-8 victory over Meath in Navan, Carlow edged out Kerry by 2-11 to 1-11 at Dr Cullen Park, and Wicklow managed a 1-15 to 2-12 draw with Sligo at Markievicz Park.