By Frank Shouldice

Kilkenny 1-19 Galway 0-18

IN THE end it was tight enough, but even Galway boss Ger Loughnane had to admit to a difference in class between the reigning All-Ireland champions and his own talented charges. “There is still a big gulf there between the kind of skill and craft that they have,” he declared. “Kilkenny have so many options all over the field –- it shows the huge hill every other team has to climb to take them on,” added Loughnane, referring to the absence of Henry Shefflin and Cha Fitzpatrick from the Cats’ line-up.

Strange to think that Kilkenny’s slow start to the League was taken as a hint of crisis for Brian Cody. And on Sunday at Nowlan Park Eugene Cloonan opened the scoring as wind-assisted Galway went in search of a morale-boosting victory. David Collins and Fergal Healy did well at midfield with Collins and Tony Óg Regan picking off lovely scores from long-range.

However the Cats hit back with customary efficiency. Michael Rice struck a fine point from way out on the right and Eddie Brennan drilled a beauty 60 yards into the breeze. The Tribesmen led by 0-13 to 0-10 at the break and when Kevin Broderick earned a penalty Loughnane instructed Cloonan to tap it over the bar. It was a cautious response and the home side punished Loughnane’s sense of prudence. Rice clipped a point and then Richie Power combined with Brennan to send Eoin McCormack through for the only goal of the game.

With the game tied up the momentum swung firmly to Kilkenny. Rice and Derek Lyng took over at midfield and although fine scores by Alan Kerins and Iarla Tannion kept Galway in touch the home side closed it out with points from Lyng, Power and McCormack.

Tipperary 4-15 Dublin 1-9

HAVING lit up the season with three outstanding performances Dublin hurlers let it slip badly last week, losing their unbeaten run in Antrim and then getting pasted by Tipperary at Nenagh. Manager Tommy Naughton was philosophical about the defeat, but it does deprive his team of a NHL quarterfinal place that would surely benefit its development.

Fatigue and injuries contributed to this defeat but Tipp were quick to remind Dublin of hurling’s traditional order. Three quick points and a goal by Danny O’Hanlon had 1-3 on the board before the visitors found their feet. O’Hanlon grabbed a second before Paul and Eoin Kelly added a goal apiece so that the game was effectively over by half-time, the Dubs trailing 0-3 to 4-7. Tipp eased off in the second half and although Stuart Mullan missed a penalty, Emmet Carroll converted a second opportunity to reduce Dublin’s embarrassment.

Clare 0-14 Cork 1-13

CLARE needed a win to secure continued participation in the playoffs but they fell short after taking a solid lead early on. It took 32 minutes before Patrick Cronin hit Cork’s first score from play but a scoring blitz, helped by Neil Ronan’s goal, overturned a five-point deficit so that Cork went into the break ahead by one.

The second half was very tight and Bernard Gaffney converted a 56th minute free to nudge the Banner in front. Joe Deane grabbed two important points in the run-in and critically, Tony Carmody blasted over the bar at the death when Clare most needed a goal.

Waterford 1-19 Offaly 3-15

CENTER-back Cathal Horan inspired Offaly to a surprise and fully deserved victory at Walsh Park. Full-forward Joe Bergin bagged 2-5 and Gary Hanniffy (1-1) also had a profitable afternoon. For Waterford the second half was a game of catch-up. John Mullane’s return – yielding 1-3 – was a welcome sign for home supporters but when it came to ground hurling Offaly were sharper. Alan Egan set up Bergin for the vital goal five minutes from time but despite this defeat the Decies will have at least one more League outing to hone their summer skills.

Wexford 3-31 Down 0-6

TWO first half goals by Darren Stamp set Wexford on course for a quarterfinal berth, achieved with a facile 30-point drubbing of Down. Leading 2-13 to 0-3 at the break Rory Jacob added a third to cap a miserable League campaign for the Mourne men, conceding a total of 15-111 in five matches.

Limerick 4-17 Antrim 0-13

ANTRIM’S midweek win over Dublin faded into oblivion at the Gaelic Grounds when they were trounced by rampant Limerick. Paddy Richmond, Karl McKeegan and Brian McFall registered some fine points for the Saffrons but goals dictated the pace and full-forward Sean O’Connor netted a hat-trick.