Goal-hungry Kilkenny begin 2024 by dismantling Carlow

Carlow 0-09 Kilkenny 5-22

Derek Lyng's Kilkenny made an emphatic start to 2024 with a resounding 28-point win over Carlow in the first round of the Dioralyte Walsh Cup.

Billy Ryan was the only starter who also was on the XV in last year’s All-Ireland final defeat to Limerick, and the Graigue Ballycallan man was a central figure in both of their first half goals at a crisp Netwatch Cullen Park.

The hosts opened the scoring through Chris Nolan, yet Kilkenny signalled their intent with a green flag in the opening minute.

A long ball in saw Ryan scamper out in front, shrug off his marker before turning on his heels and finishing in emphatic style.

Not even 10 minutes had elapsed before the Cats had their second, Ryan catching a floated cross-field pass before surging goalward. Rather than take the shot on from distance, Ryan snapped a delivery to Liam Blanchfield who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-05 to 0-01.

Martin Kavanagh (0-04, 0-2f) was the only other Carlow player to make an impression on the scoreboard, while at the other end, Ryan, who ended the half with 1-05 to his name, Mossy Keoghan and Paul Cody were all in accurate form as the Stripeymen led 2-12 to 0-05.

Ryan was replaced shortly into the second half, but if Carlow thought it may be some sort of reprieve, those hopes were dashed quickly as substitute Eoin Guilfoyle rattled the net just two minutes after his introduction for the Ballycallan ace.

Kilkenny reeled off 1-10 without reply, mainly through the placed ball accuracy of Billy Drennan, while it took Carlow 20 minutes into the second half to register a score, courtesy of a Kavanagh free.

Jake Doyle from play made it two on the spin for the Barrowsiders, but despite Lyng ringing the changes in