Kilkenny 4-26 Cork 0-11:New Cork hurling manager Denis Walsh will surely want to forget his first game in charge of the Rebels as they were handed a lesson in hurling by All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in their NHL Division One encounter at Nowlan Park.
Kilkenny were convincing 4-26 to 0-11 winner. And the worrying thing is the 27 point winning margin could have been greater.
Richie Power was on target and got the first of his three goals for an early 1-3 to 0-2 lead.
Jerry O'Connor and Graham Callanan pointed in the opening minutes for the visitors but Eoin Larkin, Eddie Brennan and Michael Rice ensured Brian Cody’s side a continuous run of scores.
Brennan boosted the Cats' tally to 1-8 before a stinging shot from Larkin led to his side's second goal.
The scoreline was 2-16 to 0-5 at half-time before Power struck again when knocking a free delivery from PJ Ryan to the net.
He increased his influence with another swirling effort which flew past Donal Og Cusack in the Cork goal, and the game was as good as over.
With Michael Fennelly another player to star, Kilkenny emptied their substitutes bench and players of the calibre of Richie Hogan, Martin Comerford and Michael Grace kept the scoreboard operator busy.
For Cork, who suffered their fourth defeat of the league campaign, there was little in the way of consolation. Walsh had a big task on his hands and this result confirmed as much.
Allianz NHL Division 1
Dublin 0-15 Clare 0-15
Parnell Park
Galway 1-15 Tipperary 1-17
Pearse Stadium
Kilkenny 4-26 Cork 0-11
Nowlan Park
Limerick 2-14 Waterford 1-13
Gaeleic Grounds
Division 2
Carlow 3-18 Down 2-11
Dr Cullen Park
Kerry 2-11 Westmeath 0-18
Tralee
Laois 0-18 Antrim 2-18
Portlaoise
Wexford 5-14 Offaly 0-17
Wexford Park
Division 3B
Longford 1-05 London 7-25
Pearse Park
Donegal 2-22 Fingal 4-14
Letterkenny
Roscommon 1-16 Louth 2-08
Athleague