Kilkenny 2-19 Dublin 2-8: Seven weeks can be a very long time in hurling as Dublin discovered to their cost at Parnell Park on Saturday. The transition from being celebrated victors over the league and All-Ireland champions to hapless losers was swift and painful as Brian Cody's men exacted revenge for that February lapse in the Walsh Cup decider.
Between championship and league outings, Kilkenny now have a record 13 successive wins under their belt as they await the next phase in the league series. It looked as if it was going to be far worse for the home side during the opening three minutes when Charlie Carter (1-1) and Willie O'Dwyer (0-1) gave the reigning champions an explosive start.
For the next 15 minutes however an inexplicable lull crept into the Kilkenny scoring pattern; Henry Shefflin was wide with a easy effort, DJ Carey was denied by Ger Ryan, Charlie Carter was wide from a scorable position and O'Dwyer followed that up with another wayward shot.
But fortunately for them this was only a freak scoreless period in an overall comprehensive performance.
"Once they got their second goal our heads went down and it was target practice for them after that," observed Dublin manager Marty Morris.
That goal by O'Dwyer proved such a huge morale crusher for the home side but it could easily have been prevented. Kevin Ryan was covering back when he unfortunately fumbled the lift-up and a chance was carved out for the eager O'Dwyer.
Without the injured Conal Keaney and Shane Martin, Dublin were cleaned out around the middle of the field. Morris is satisfied that he can put a better team on the field before championship time.
"We are far from demoralised," said Morris. "We know we can strengthen this team. We have three seriously good hurlers to come back into the side. We were testing the waters with some players to see what they were made of today and Kilkenny showed us that we were not good enough. I am confident that we can turn the corner."
Dublin's attack was well contained with Kilkenny's back line of Michael Kavanagh, Noel Hickey and Walter Bourke refusing to give an inch. Yet the visitors had reason to rue that 15-minute barren spell on the scoreboard when a free out on the left, by Tomas McGrane, was deflected into their net by Stephen McDonnell.
This left only a point between the sides after 24 minutes. Kilkenny then galvanised their efforts and held a three-point advantage at half-time, with the score at 1-8 to 1-5.
The opening minutes of the second half did much to fashion the eventual result. Dublin's John McGuirk and Liam Ryan combined effectively to give their captain Kevin Flynn a goal chance which was taken in style.
Kilkenny went about redressing a somewhat serious situation with drive, guile and impressive scoring power. It was as though Dublin players were stuck to the ground as Shefflin, Carter, Carey, O'Dwyer and Tommy Walsh piled on a string of unanswered points to the score total.
The champions' retaliation was only briefly interrupted as they moved from a position of parity in the third minute of the second half to opening up a 14-point gap.
Dublin made a number of changes in attack but to no avail. Only three of their forwards, Flynn, McGrane and McDonnell, had figured on the scoreboard before substitutes Brennan McLoughlin and Armstrong topped up their tally, however insignificantly.
Carey's point from play 60 yards down the line from the left wing was an absolute gem.
Manager Brian Cody said afterwards: "When they (Dublin) drew level after half-time we responded really well and won comfortably. It was a fine team effort."
KILKENNY: P J Ryan; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, W Bourke; S Dowling, P Barry, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, T Walsh (0-3); D J Carey (0-2, 1 '65), H Shefflin (0-5, 1 free), W O'Dwyer (1-2); C Carter (1-6), M Comerford (0-3), E Brennan. Subs: J Ryall for Barry (45 mins); J Coogan (0-1) for Shefflin (53 mins); B McEvoy for Brennan (53 mins); A Comerford for M Comerford (59 mins).
DUBLIN: G Ryan; P Brennan, D Spain, C Meehan; K Wilson, S Perkins, S Hiney; K Ryan D Sweeney; J McGuirk, L Ryan, K Flynn (1-2, 1 free); T McGrane 0-3 (2 frees), S McDonnell (1-0), M Carton. Subs: K Elliott for C Meehan (45 mins); B McLoughlin (0-1) for McDonnell (48 mins); T Moore for McGrane (52 mins); P Brennan (0-1) for McGuirk (59 mins); F Armstrong (0-1) for Carton (60 mins).
Referee: D Richardson (Limerick).
