Late Cody goal sees Kilkenny eke out win over dogged Dublin

Eoin Cody rode to Kilkenny's rescue with a dramatic late goal to get the Cats back on track in the Leinster SHC, securing their return to the summit of the provincial table.

Level eight times in a terrific second-half in front of 7,028 at Parnell Park, it looked like the holders might ultimately be held to a draw for the second weekend in a row.

But they dug remarkably deep when it truly counted and fashioned a 70th minute move down the right that ended with Cody shortening the hurl and batting to the net for what proved the winning goal.

Cody finished with 1-03 but his heroics were outdone by John Donnelly who turned in perhaps his best game yet for Kilkenny, scoring seven points from play and hauling them to a hugely significant win.

TJ Reid top scored for the Noresiders with eight points but only one of those came from play and he was surprisingly errant with a series of frees in the final quarter when the game hung in the balance.

David Blanchfield's three long-range scores proved vital for Kilkenny who will carry momentum into their Round 5 clash with Wexford, at home, next weekend.

As for Dublin, they will wonder just how victory eluded them in a game that was level nine times overall. Donal Burke scored 0-14 for the hosts while Conor Burke and Brian Hayes struck the goals that brought them within a whisker of a huge win.

Dublin will travel to play Galway in Round 5 next weekend knowing that a win will secure their place in the All-Ireland series.

Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng was desperate for a strong response from his team following the surprising stalemate in Carlow.

He was able to call upon Cody and Mikey Carey for the first time since the Round 1 win over Antrim following injuries.

Captain Paddy Deegan shook off a knock to