Gaelic Games

Donnelly the top cat as Kilkenny retain title

Donnelly helps himself to 1-11 in Intermediate hurling decider

The Kilkenny team celebrate after their win over Cork. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
The Kilkenny team celebrate after their win over Cork. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Sun Jul 23 2017 - 18:02

Kilkenny 2-23 Cork 2-18

Robbie Donnelly scored 1-11 as Kilkenny retained the All-Ireland IHC with victory over Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

Leading by 0-11 to 0-10 at half-time, the Cats fell behind as Jerry O’Neill goaled for Cork on the resumption and at the three-quarter mark Cork led by 1-15 to 0-15. Kilkenny drew level once more, though, and Donnelly’s penalty and free put them four in front.

Sub Tom Phelan extended that advantage further and they pushed on to go nine in front before Rob O'Shea pulled a goal back for Cork. A comeback remained elusive for the hosts, however.

READ SOME MORE

Cork: S Hayes R O'Shea 1-2 (0-1f), W Leahy 0-4, J O'Neill 1-1, D Drake, M Collins 0-2 each, D O'Flynn 0-1.

KILKENNY: D Aylward; D Prendergast, G Teehan, N Doherty; B Whelan, C Fleming, J Cahill (0-1); JP Treacy, M Keoghan (0-3); P Holden (0-3), D Brennan, E Delaney (0-4); S Carey, M Power (0-1), R Donnelly 1-11 (1 pen, 0-9 f). Subs: T Phelan (1-0) for Fleming (half-time), L Hickey for Carey (40), N Walsh for Hickey (42-44, blood), C Prendiville for Keoghan, J Power for Delaney, D Walsh for Cahill (all 60).

CORK: P Collins; B O'Sullivan, S O'Donovan, S Hegarty; K Morrison, D O'Donovan, K Kavanagh; D O'Flynn (0-1), M Collins (0-2); D Casey, N Kelly, J O'Neill (1-1); S Hayes (0-6, 0-5f), W Leahy (0-4), D Drake (0-2). Subs: T Lawrence for Morrison, R O'Shea (1-2, 0-1f), for Casey (both half-time), J Cooper for D O'Flynn (44), M Kennefick for Hayes (52), N McNamara for O'Neill (57).

Referee: C Cunning (Antrim).