Kilkenny got the drive for five in the Leinster senior hurling championship off to a confident start at sun-kissed UPMC Nowlan Park when they dismissed the challenge of Antrim at their ease, but there might be headaches ahead for manager Derek Lyng.
Goalkeeper Eoin Murphy and attackers Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen left the field injured and they will all have to be assessed during the next 24 hours as the Cats set their sights on what will be a big test away to Galway in Pearse Stadium next Sunday.
Mullen went down with what appeared to be a thigh injury before the end of the first quarter, and he was withdrawn immediately. Murphy shipped a knock to the face when fielding a high ball during this half also, and while he continued, he was replaced at half-time.
Cody appeared to damage an ankle and limped off in the 40th minute.
On the plus side for Lyng and his selectors, lively attacker Owen Wall made a massive impression when sprung from the bench. The speedy O'Loughlin Gaels man bagged two smashing goals and a pair of points as well after replacing Cody in the 39th minute to stake a strong claim for a starting place the next day, irrespective of who is available for selection.
TJ Reid, who missed the recent National League final defeat against Clare, didn’t take long to put his mark on the game. He helped wasteful Kilkenny - they shot 10 first half wides and 20 overall - to take a hold on affairs by shooting 1-3 during the opening 17 minutes.
In fact, Reid might have added a second goal, this time from a penalty, in the 21st minute. Antrim goalkeeper Ryan Elliott tripped Martin Keoghan after being put clear on goal by Reid, and he was black carded.
Replacement ’keeper Tiernan Smyth stood firm and with his first touch of the ball brought off a tremendous save from a well struck Reid drive to keep the Northerners afloat.
Antrim found it hard to get out of their half early on and concessions to Reid (2 frees), Adrian Mullen, Richie Reid and John Donnelly saw them trail by 0-1 to 0-5 with a mere seven minutes played.
The visitors kept playing the short passing game, and thanks to scores from good free taker Conal Cunning (2) and James McNaughton they had the gap down to the minimum (0-5 to 0-4) in the 13th minute. That was as good as it got for Antrim.
Kilkenny kicked into action again via quick points from the impressive Cian Kenny and Martin Keoghan, whose sights were in after an unsteady start. By half-time Antrim were 1-15 to 0-7 adrift and they were in big trouble.
The easy finishing TJ Reid clipped over an early point in the second half to pile the pressure on the opposition. By the time he departed the scene in the 44th minute he had scored 1-5, and he drew the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the 2,855 attendance when he took his place in the stand.
Young Wall and fellow sub Billy Drennan took over the scoring show after that. Wall plundered two top class goals, zipping around defenders before driving bullet-like shots to the top left corner of the net.
Drennan finished with 1-6 - the goal from a penalty in the 70th minute when Conor Boyd was dismissed - to his credit as Antrim were left with much to ponder as they plan for the visit of Wexford to Corrigan Park next Saturday.
Kilkenny: E. Murphy; M. Butler, H. Lawlor, S. Murphy (0-01); D. Blanchfield, P. Deegan (0-02), M. Carey (0-01); C. Kenny (0-04), R. Reid (0-01); A. Mullen (0-01), E. Cody, J. Donnelly (0-03); M. Keoghan (0-03), TJ Reid (1-5, 0-3 frees), T. Phelan.
Subs: G. Dunne (1-01) for Mullen (inj) 14th min; A. Tallis for E. Murphy ht; O. Wall (2-2) for E. Cody (inj) 39th min; B. Drennan (1-6, 0-02 frees, one 65) for TJ Reid 44th min; B. Ryan for T Phelan 53rd min; T. Walsh for M. Butler 61st min.
Antrim: R. Elliott; P. Duffin, R. McGarry, P. Burke; S. Walsh, E. Campbell (0-01), C. Bohil (0-01); J. McNaughton (0-02), N. O’Connor; M. Bradley, N. Elliott (0-01), N. McKenna; C. Cunning (0-07, frees), C. McCann (0-01), S. Elliott.
Subs: T. Smyth for N. McKenna 21st min; N. McKenna for R. Elliott 32nd min; J. McLaughlin for M. Bradley ht; R. McCloskey for S. Walsh 57th min; C. Boyd for N. McKenna 59th min.
Referee: S. Hayes (Galway).
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