Antrim 1-8 Kilkenny 3-22THERE WAS nothing at stake for either side as Kilkenny had already wrapped-up a place in the semi-finals and Antrim had been relegated, but the sorting of the statistics turned into a sorry situation in this clash before a crowd of less than 700 at Nowlan Park.
Kilkenny, according to manager Brian Cody, got no joy from walloping struggling opponents to the tune of 20 points. They picked a team that included a mere five of their All-Ireland side.
Antrim had first use of the wind, and although they led on four occasions, they were still held to equal terms at the break, 1-5 to 0-8.
Kilkenny opened the new half with a bit more urgency. Early on Damien Fogarty and Richard Hogan (free) tipped over points. Then in a devastating two-minute spell the home side added 1-3 to effectively decide the match.
Kilkenny's scoring burst started with a 45th-minute point from a penalty by Richard Hogan, after his well-struck shot was turned over the bar by goalkeeper Ryan McGarry. Eddie Brennan won the Antrim puck-out and returned the ball over the bar. Within seconds Aidan Fogarty slammed the ball one-handed into the net after a free by Hogan saw the ball rebound off the right upright.
James "Cha" Fitzpatrick added a point to extend the Kilkenny lead to 1-13 to 1-5. They added goals through Martin Comerford (57th minute) and Damien Fogarty (66) to complete the rout.
Antrim looked game enough during the first half. A 20th-minute goal from Paddy Richmond put them 1-3 to 0-4 in front after the scores had been level three times beforehand.
Antrim led again with points from Liam Watson and Paddy Redmond as the break approached. But later efforts from Fogarty and Michael Fennelly earned the winners parity at the break.
KILKENNY:J McGarry; C Hickey, JJ Delaney, D Cody; J Dalton, B Hogan, PJ Delaney; J Fitzpatrick (0-2), J Ryall (0-1); R Hogan (0-7, four frees, one penalty),M. Fennelly, E Brennan (0-2); D Fogarty (1-3), M Comerford (1-2), A Fogarty (1-3). Subs:E Walsh for Delaney (52 mins); E McGrath for Fitzpatrick (52 mins), E Reid (0-1)for Comerford (54th mins); TJ Reid (0-1) for Brennan (57 mins).
ANTRIM:R McGarry; A Graffin, N McGarry, S Delargy; C Herron, C Donnelly, K McKeegan; PJ O'Connell, K Stewart (0-2);P McGill, D McNaughton, L Watson (0-5, four frees);P Shiels, P Richmond (1-1),S. McNaughton. Subs:B Quinn for D McNaughton (ht); J Campbell for McGill (63 mins), S McCrory for C Donnelly (63 mins).
Referee: D Richardson(Limerick).
