Kilkenny needed an injury-time point to secure victory over Cork in this afternoon’s thrilling National Hurling League Division 1 final at Semple Stadium, Thurles.
Having trailed by five points at half-time, it was to Cork’s credit that they hurled themselves into contention in the closing stages and run Brian Cody’s side so close to the wire.
Kilkenny were quickly out of the traps an led by 1-3 to 0-0 after a frantic nine minutes.
Martin Comerford, the younger brother of team captain Andy, scored the opening goal of the game in the third minute. He latched on to a precise Eddie Brennan pass before picking his spot and firing home.
The full-forward, a tremendous find during this league campaign, etched his name on the game early on by dominating the opening exchanges with his marker - Cork’s influential full-back Diarmuid O’Sullivan.
Cork looked all at sea when John Hoyne raced through to blast home Kilkenny’s second goal in the opening quarter and stretch their lead to eight points.
But Cork soon settled and bridged the gap when the impressive Eamon Collins scored the first of his two goals in the 22nd minute. Kilkenny led 2-9 to 1-7 at half-time.
With the breeze at their backs Cork found a rhythm in the second period. Substitute Timmy McCarthy belted home a superb 70 yarder to raise spirits in the Rebel camp.
Collins scored his second goal nine minutes after the restart and Kilkenny were firmly on the back foot. Cork led for the first time when Diarmuid O’Sullivan’s booming 65 found its range in the 29th minute.
Their lead would not last long, however, as substitute Brian Dowling brought the sides level soon after.
From there on in, the game adopted a pulsating tit-for-tat pattern as both teams pushed for victory.
Alan Brown put the Rebels ahead but Kilkenny centre-forward Henry Shefflin quickly equalised. Brown pointed again with two minutes to play but substitute Sean Dowling pulled the sides level within a minute.
Then in injury-time, Kilkenny captain Andy Comerford set up Brian Dowling to hammer home the winning score and secure Brian Cody’s side their first league title since 1995.
Results
NHL Division 1 Final
Kilkenny 2-15 Cork 2-14
NHL Division 2 Final
Laois 1-20 Antrim 2-14
NHL Division 3 Final
Longford 1-12 Louth 0-12
NHL Division 4 Final
Mayo 1-14 Monaghan 4-5
Leinster SFC Preliminary Round
Louth 1-14 Longford 2-11
Connacht SFC Preliminary Round
New York L-L Sligo
L= Late result