NHL 1: Cats open with win against Offaly
February 28, 2010
Kilkenny's Michael Rice charges through the Offaly defence during the NHL Disision 1 game at Nowlan Park
The Faithfuls managed to stay in touch for much of the game but it took them 32 minutes to get their first second-half score from play and that statistic probably tells its own story.
Richie Power did plenty of damage for the holders before being removed from the pitch in an ambulance at half time, and his replacement John Mulhall impressed with some nice second-half scores.
Kilkenny led by 0-10 to 0-7 at half time. Eight of those Black & Amber points came from Power, who was worryingly replaced because of injury just short of the break.
Shane Dooley got six of the Faithful County's first-half points to keep them in touch at the interval.
The Cats grabbed the first three points via PJ Delaney and Power (2) before Offaly pulled one back from a Dooley free.
Two more Dooley frees had the sides level and a brace from Power edged the hosts back in front.
Midfielder James Rigney and Power traded points as did Michael Rice and Dooley as Kilkenny led by 0-7 to 0-6 after 27 minutes,
The Cats got three of the next four points to lead by three at the short whistle.
Dooley fired over a free at the start of the second half before Aidan Fogarty's goal made it 1-10 to 0-8. There would be no way back for the visitors.
Two more Dooley frees kept Offaly in contention but a point from substitute Mulhall made it 1-12 to 0-10 after 54 minutes.
And, despite never setting the world on fire, Brian Cody's charges held on for a comfortable win. Job done. Tweet
