St Mary's of the Munster Senior League were unable to cope with the challenge of a Kilkenny forward line led in devastating style by Michael Reddy at St Mary's Park, Cork, yesterday. The Cork amateurs provided spirited opposition in the first half of the match but once they fell behind shortly before half time they found Kilkenny's greater strength and more balanced teamwork too much of a challenge.

Eighteen-year-old Reddy was the outstanding individual in the game and he claimed two of Kilkenny's goals. He took the first after 39 minutes, heading home after a shot from David Walsh rebounded off the crossbar.

His second came after 68 minutes when he reached a splendid cross from the left wing by Pierce Walsh, to beat goalkeeper John O'Brien, and put Kilkenny firmly in control at 3-0.

Kilkenny's second came after 65 minutes when Tom Gaynor found space on the left to pick out Paul Cashin with an accurate cross and the midfielder drilled a shot from 25 yards low into the net.

St Mary's: O'Brien, Daly, O'Shea, D McAuliffe, Hawkins, Sisk, Roche, R Hyde, Quinn, M McAuliffe, T Long. Subs: J Hyde for Daly (75 mins), D Long for T Long (67 mins).

Kilkenny City: Moran, Goodwin, Corcoran, Greene, D Walsh, P Walsh, Cashin, Gaynor, Vaughan, Reddy, Rae. Sub: Jordan for Vaughan (67 mins).

Referee: J Casey (Waterford)