National Hurling League/Division 1A/Kilkenny 3-14; Clare 1-12: Given the crazy oscillation in form often to be seen in the Allianz Leagues, this probably won't raise too many eyebrows but there was an unexpected gulf between the teams in this Division One A fixture.
Kilkenny have been fielding a number of new faces during this campaign and yesterday before around 6,000 at Cusack Park Ennis, the Leinster champions had far too much energy and brio for a disappointing home side.
Nonetheless the starring roles were filled by familiar players. Peter Barry at centre back had a storming match, reading the game well, delivering quality ball and dominating a considerably out-of-shape Ollie Baker. On the other 40, Henry Shefflin took a lot of ball off Seán McMahon, created plenty of chances and took three points from play, plus the same again from frees.
Brian Cody and his selectors will have been happy with the enthusiasm and workrate of the team, although the match could have been put out of Clare's reach much earlier than it was.
There was further cause for satisfaction in the performance of some of the less established names on the team sheet. Newcomer Martin Comerford gave another bustling display to add to his growing reputation, while Stephen Grehan and Eddie Brennan weighed in with all three goals.
The only area of the field where there were problems was centrefield but Pat Tennyson helped redress the balance when switched there.
Cusack Park's wide spaces helped Kilkenny's fast young side as they exploited a sluggish looking Clare defence. Within seven minutes they were four points ahead, having shown greater penetration and more clinical finishing and the first goal arrived in the 13th minute.
It completed a change in fortunes in the space of seconds. At the far end Tony Carmody had been dispossessed while steaming in along the endline and immediately Grehan and Comerford combined to create a goal chance for Brennan, who duly obliged.
The setback seemed to wake up Carmody who after his fine showing in Ballinasloe last week had looked awkward in yesterday's opening exchanges.
A minute later he responded. Frank Lohan's long clearance dropped into his territory and Carmody held off Noel Hickey before kicking into the net. He went on to become the team's best forward.
The goal triggered Clare's best phase and by the 24th minute the match was level. But when Kilkenny regained the lead a few minutes later, there was to be no way back for the home side. Grehan left Brian Quinn for dead and pointed. Quinn was replaced by Liam Doyle but Grehan did further damage a minute later.
Having soloed the ball right through the Clare defence, he laid it off to Brennan who looked to have been fouled but Grehan scrambled the loose ball to the net. By half-time Kilkenny's lead was still four points but it was hard to see where Clare were going to make an impact.
The defence was under pressure, with McMahon subdued and Brian Lohan - who did manage some deft touches - battling to hold his line. In general the backs weren't comfortable on the turn and this was targeted.
Joe Considine played well at centrefield and clipped a couple of points. But up front Carmody ploughed a lone furrow.
Ollie Baker was cumbersome and unable to retrieve his game even when switched to full forward.
James O'Connor scrapped away but was well marked by Michael Kavanagh, who had time to hit a point from about 85 metres in the second half.
It was the arrival of Conor Clancy late in proceedings that demonstrated how much the team were missing a conventional target man.
Yet the match hung around for Clare. By the start of the final quarter, there was only a score in it, 2-11 to 1-11, but the home side would score only one further point while conceding 1-3. Momentum irretrievably switched in then 56th minute when substitute Alan Markham was blocked and when the ball was cleared, Shefflin picked off a fine point.
Kilkenny cruised away in the final 15 minutes. They added a third goal with two minutes left. Comerford broke a dropping ball to Grehan and he stuck it in the corner of David Fitzgerald's net.
KILKENNY: J McGarry; P Cahill, N Hickey, P Larkin; M Kavanagh (0-1), P Barry, JJ Delaney; A Cummins, D Lyng (0-1); J Hoyne (0-1), H Shefflin (0-6, three frees), P Tennyson; E Brennan (1-2), M Comerford (0-1), S Grehan (2-1). Subs: A Geoghegan (0-1) for Cummins (21 mins).
CLARE: D Fitzgerald; B Quinn, B Lohan, F Lohan; D Hoey, S McMahon (0-1, a free), C Plunkett; C Lynch, J Considine (0-2); T Griffin (0-1), O Baker, J O'Connor (0-3, two frees); A Quinn, T Carmody (1-3), D Forde (0-2). Subs: L Doyle for B Quinn (28 mins), A Markham for A Quinn (48 mins), C Clancy for Baker (64 mins).
Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).
Kilkenny ... 3-14
Clare ... 1-12
