O'Byrne Cup/Kilkenny 2-11, Athlone IT 1-12: Kilkenny's footballers pulled off something of an upset when they beat Athlone IT at Freshford yesterday. The home side started brightly with Patrick Brennan and John Maher both picking off three points apiece, but a 15th-minute David Glennon goal saw Athlone lead at the half-time break by 1-7 to 0-7.

Kilkenny increased the pressure on the students in the second half and that paid off with a string of points from Maher (3), and Shane Coonan, before a fisted goal from Declan Buggy gave them the lead on 54 minutes.

Kilkenny kept making chances and secured victory when Coonan split the Athlone defence and drilled home a goal in the closing minutes.

KILKENNY: S Murphy; S Flynn, P Mullins, D Dunne; R Nolan, A Murphy, J Dowd; P Buggy (0-1), P Maher; A Holden, J Maher (0-6, two frees), M Duggan; P Brennan (0-3), D Buggy (1-0), S Kennedy. Subs: S Coonan (1-1) for Brennan (46 mins), P Shore for Duggan (46 mins), P. Donnelly for D Buggy (66 mins).

ATHLONE IT: E Farrell; B McGrath, D Masterson, R Reynolds; V Ryan, J Kavanagh, A Reynolds (0-1); B Cullinane, C Maguire; D O'Brien (0-1), R Clyne (0-2), J Reynolds (0-2); D Glennon (1-2), J Devane (0-1), J Coughlan (0-1). Subs: G Quinn for Cullinane (50 mins), D Bryan for Farrell (53 mins) S O'Donoghue for Masterson (65 mins).

Referee: E Kinsella (Laois).