Kilkenny 3-21

Dublin 0-18

Kilkenny made light of Richie Leahy's 26th minute dismissal and the absence of their all-conquering Ballyhale contingent to overwhelm Dublin in a one-sided Allianz Hurling League Group B opener at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Wing forward Leahy was sent for an early shower for a high tackle on new Dublin captain Danny Sutcliffe, but it had no bearing on the outcome as the 14 men eased to victory.

Fielding just six of the side that started last year's All-Ireland final loss to Tipperary, Kilkenny trailed early on before a superb Ger Aylward goal, which came following an excellent move involving Paddy Deegan, Billy Ryan and Walter Walsh, sparked them into life in the 11th minute.

With Oisin O'Rorke pilfering five first half points, Dublin clung on to the home side's coattail until the 24th minute when Ryan burst through to score Kilkenny's second major. Despite losing Leahy two minutes later, Brian Cody's men took a 2-8 to 0-7 lead into the break thanks to further scores from Niall Brassil and Alan Murphy, who hit 0-8 from placed balls.

Dublin couldn't get any closer than six points in the second half as Brassil and Murphy extended the hosts' lead after 44 minutes. And it was all over bar the shouting when Billy Ryan grabbed his second goal 10 minutes from time after Dublin 'keeper Alan Nolan had got his stick to the shot but couldn't keep it out.

Kilkenny - E Murphy; C Wallace, H Lawlor, C Delaney; M Cody, P Deegan (0-2), M Carey (0-1); C Fogarty (0-2), A Murphy (0-8, 7f, 1'65); J Donnelly (0-1), W Walsh (0-2), R Leahy; B Ryan (2-0), G Aylward (1-0), N Brassil (0-2). Subs: M Keoghan (0-1) for G Aylward, J Maher for A Murphy, T Walsh for M Cody, B Sheehan (0-1) for B Ryan, L Scanlon (0-1) for N Brassil.

Dublin - A Nolan; P Smyth, E O’Donnell, J Madden; C Crummey (0-1), D Gray, C O’Callaghan; F Whitely, R McBride (0-1); T Connolly (0-1), D Sutcliffe (0-1), R Hayes (0-2, 1f); C Boland, O O’Rorke (0-6, 4f), E Dillon (0-2). Subs: S Moran (0-4, 3f) for F Whitely, J Malone for J Madden, M Schutte for C Boland, L McMullan for T Connolly, J Hetherton for R McBride.

Referee - P O’Dwyer.

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