Kilkenny outlast Dublin as Reid breaks scoring record

It wasn't the most convincing performance or victory for defending champions, Kilkenny, but this success at UPMC Nowlan Park has left them within touching distance of a place in the Leinster senior hurling championship final.

Dublin were defiant and full of heart throughout, but the concession of six points between the 54th and 65th minutes when they fell 0-24 to 0-16 behind after being a mere two in arrears more or less took the game beyond them.

Kilkenny now head to Wexford Part next weekend where a division of the spoils or a good run of results elsewhere would suffice to edge them through to the final. Dublin, meanwhile, can still make the All-Ireland series as they head to Galway next weekend.

Kilkenny were very unsure in their play during the opening quarter when they missed simple catches, misdirected passes and over-ran a lot of ball. Lively Dublin took advantage, and after the teams swapped early points the visitors led a lot of the way.

With championship top scorer Donal Burke to the fore and hitting the target twice, the Dubs opened out a 0-04 to 0-01 lead with the help of an additional score from Danny Sutcliffe. The visitors were still looking good passing the 21 minute mark when Mark Grogan worked hard for a point to leave them leading by 0-08 to 0-05.

However, during the following nine minutes the Cats roared back to turn that deficit into a 0-11 to 0-08 lead by the half hour mark. TJ Reid, who scored six times during this half, was on fire and passed Patrick Horgan to become the Championship's all-time leading scorer. Another minor from Reid following a foul on Eoin Cody added to the advantage.

That blast from Kilkenny was followed by an exchange of points between Mark Grogan and home defender Mikey Butler to