Grace snatches win for Kilkenny

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE - kILKENNY 0-15 lIMERICK 0-14:A POINT 90 seconds from the finish and nearly seven minutes into additional time by substitute Michael Grace gave Kilkenny a lucky victory over Limerick in this well-contested clash that resulted in bad injuries to two players.

After a clash early in the second half, Kilkenny’s Brian Hogan and Limerick’s David Breen had to be stretchered off the field. There was a delay of seven minutes while they were treated on the field. There were fears that Hogan has suffered a broken ankle, while Breen was taken to hospital for X-rays.

Limerick dominated long periods of the second half. However, their decision-making and shooting let them down and they recorded nine wides to Kilkenny’s two during the that half.

With the score at 0-13 to 0-11 to Kilkenny and Limerick on top, Andrew O’Shaughnessy elected to go for a goal from an easy free. The effort was saved.

Kilkenny led 0-6 to 0-1 after 16 minutes with star attacker, Richie Power leading the way with four scores. Limerick settled down and finally responded with points from James O’Brien and Andrew O’Shaughnessy (free).

Further points from Brian O’Sullivan, Donie Ryan, O’Shaughnessy and Ryan again reduced the difference to the minimum (0-8 to 0-7) before two points by Eddie Brennan and another by Power put Kilkenny 0-11 to 0-7 ahead at the interval.

When the game settled after the injuries to the two players, Limerick looked the stronger outfit. Points from Gavin O’Mahony (a 65) and O’Shaughnessy, a terrific effort from 75 metres, drew Limerick level at 0-13 each until Richie Power’s free, their first score in 18 minutes, put Kilkenny ahead again. O’Shaughnessy equalised from a free but Brennan won the puck-out and set up Grace for the crucial winning point.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; J Dalton, B Hogan, J Tyrrell; J Ryall, J Tennyson, J J Delaney; T Walsh (0-1), D Fogarty; W O'Dwyer, R Power (0-8, six frees), M Rice (0-1); R Hogan, E Brennan (0-2), A Fogarty (0-2). Subs: S Cummins for B Hogan inj (37 mins), M Grace (0-1) for R Hogan (55 mins), M Comerford for Fogarty (66 mins), J Mulhall for O'Dwyer (73 mins).

LIMERICK: B Murray, D Reale, S Lucey, T Condon, S Walsh, S Hickey, G O'Mahoney (0-1, a 65), W McNamara, P Browne, J O'Brien (0-1), M O'Brien (0-1), B O'Sullivan (0-1), A O'Shaughnessy (0-6, four frees), D Breen, D Ryan (0-3). Subs: N Moran for J O'Brien (half-time), G Mulcahy (0-1) for D Breen inj (37 mins), P O'Brien for W McNamara (55 mins).

Referee: D Kirwan (Cork).