Cork finish strong against Kilkenny to advance to league final

Cork booked their place in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final following a cracking affair under the lights at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Awaiting for the Rebels in the Division 1 League decider will be Wexford or Waterford, who face off in the other semi final clash on Sunday.

Kilkenny commenced with intent, as Martin Keoghan finished from close range to the back of the net moments after an Eoin Cody score.

Brian Cody's side were proving razor sharp in attacking during the opening half. The likes of Billy Ryan, Eoin Cody, Padraig Walsh and Alan Murphy were in top form, while Martin Keoghan was ruthless in front of goal.

Although Cork got off the mark through a Darragh Fitzgibbon point, with Patrick Horgan slotted over a pair of frees for the Rebels and Alan Connolly also pointing, Kilkenny provided the right responses.

Following what was a strong start, it was Kilkenny that held the advantage lead at 1-6 to 0-4 after 15 minutes.

Cork found a momentum surge midway through the first half, as Ciarán Joyce got a cracking score from long distance. Horgan showed his usual red hot accuracy from frees, as he levelled the game up 0-9 to Kilkenny’s 1-6 after 22 minutes.

A gripping contest was developing on Leeside. Connolly and Horgan were proving to be lively options in the Cork attack.

However it was Kilkenny that held a four point advantage at the half time break. Keoghan finished with a crisp low finish for what was his second goal of the contest just shy of the half an hour mark, beyond the grasp of Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins.

While Kilkenny also got scores through Pádraig Walsh, David Blanchfield and Alan Murphy as the visitors were in command at half time.

It took just ten seconds of the second half for Kilkenny to score upon the