A terrific late penalty save from Kilkenny City goalkeeper, Robert Forde, was enough to secure a share of the spoils for his side against Finn Harps on Saturday night and save his own blushes in the process.
Forde had earlier gifted a goal to Harps' captain, Fergal Harkin, when he dropped a cross from Declan Boyle in the 54th minute. The Harps goal came just three minutes after Kilkenny had taken the lead when Jason Kabia's fierce drive flew into the roof of the net.
Afterwards, Kilkenny manager Pat Byrne announced that he was stepping down from his position. The Dubliner denied that his decision had anything to do with the team's start to the season but said that a combination of work commitments and disillusionment with officialdom had left him with no alternative.
FINN HARPS: Downey; Boyle, Minnock, Bradley, Fitzhenry, Tierney, Mohan, Kelly, Avdiu, Nesovic, Harkin. Subs: Kenny for Avdiu (60 mins), McGrenaghan for Kelly (63 mins), Speak for Nesovic (82 mins).
KILKENNY CITY: Forde; Byrne, Carolan, Kerley, Riordan, Mullen, McGrath, Costello, Kabia, Parkes, Mulcahy. Subs: Jordan for Parkes (30 mins), Brennan for Riordan (53 mins), Walsh for McGrath (63 mins).
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
