Kilkenny withstand late Antrim surge to take the points

Joint defending champions Kilkenny lived dangerously at the finish, but they survived to get their Allianz Hurling League campaign off to a winning start at bitterly cold UPMC Nowlan Park.

At one stage during the second half the Cats were moving really well and they looked comfortable when leading by 2-11 to 1-06. However, they lost their way after that and battling Antrim gave them a right good fright in a gripping finish.

"We had to fight for the win in the end," admitted Kilkenny manager, Brian Cody. "We were in control early in the second half and then the game turned."

A 67th minute goal from Neil McManus brought the losers right back into the match when he cut the gap to 2-14 (20) to 3-9 (18). Seconds into lost time, McManus launched a long range free towards the home goal. Sub Aaron Bradley got a touch to the arriving ball with his hurley and diverted it goalwards from the edge of the square.

Home goalie Darren Brennan did the spectacular and managed to turn the sliotar away to safety. The Cats escaped to victory with the help of a late, late point from John Donnelly.

It was a win for Kilkenny, but it was far from convincing stuff as they also ran up 19 wides. Antrim finished with 14 men after defender, Niall O'Connor was dismissed in the 65th minute after receiving a second yellow card.

Antrim made most of the running during an error-strewn opening half during which the teams shared 17 wides (Kilkenny 10). The visitors hit the front in the third minute when Sean Elliott ran onto a delivery from James McNaughton before cutting through two defenders and crashing a low shot into the net.

With the swirling wind proving a real challenge for both sides, the scoring rate was low. Kilkenny were creating chances, but a failure