BIG MATCH RESULT: Kilkenny see off Cork in a belter to set up semi-final against champions
By COLIN BARTLEY
IN AN absolute belter at headquarters today Kilkenny clawed their way through to the All-Ireland semi-final, and Brian Cody’s smarts and the bench can be thanked.
In a game that was in the balance until two Pat Horgan 21 meter frees were saved in injury time, the Cats got over the line 2-27 to 3-18
As predicted here yesterday, if Kilkenny got on top in between the half lines, they would win. And that was the plan when they came out of the tunnel.
A stunning third-quarter blitz by Kilkenny which saw them out-score Cork by ten points to two seemed to have the Cats in the driving seat.
That all changed in the 54th minute when Cork’s Patrick Horgan grabbed a high ball between three Kilkenny defenders and buried the sliothar to the net for his hattrick.
That brought the deficit back to three points, and then two points moments later following a great score by Alan Cadogan.
The next eight minutes were very nervy by both teams, and for the first time in the match, wayward shooting was the order of the day.
The composure came back to Kilkenny quicker though and some great inside forward play by the two Billy’s Sheehan and Ryan, and Walter Walsh saw Kilkenny across the line.
The marvellous Pat Horgan got 3-10 for Cork, but their puck out strategy fell apart in the second half thanks to Brian Cody’s tweeks.
The Cats have seriously clawed their way back into this championship – bring on the champions.
