Kilkenny can be pleased by their performance against Carlow even though they lost by 3-11 to 1-6 at Freshford.

The fact that the Cats scored 1-6 must be pleasing as they had failed to come anywhere near that score in their previous league matches this year.

However, some slack defending by Kilkenny gifted Carlow too many cheap scores as they were able to score at their will during different stages.

There was only five points between the sides at the break as Carlow lead by 0-8 to 0-3, but the visitors stepped up a gear in the second half.

JJ Smith converted a penalty to score the opening goal of the match, but Kilkenny hit the next two points before Cormac Mullins scored Carlow's second goal of the match.

Graham Lawlor pulled a goal back for the Cats, but Sean Gannon added Carlow's third with seven minutes remaining.

Scores for Carlow: J.J. Smith (1-3, goal penalty, point free); C. Mullins (1-3); S. Gannon (1-1); E. Ruth (0-2); D. Foley, D. Hayden (0-1 each). Kilkenny: G. Lawlor (1-3, two points frees), S. Duggan, J. Fennelly, M. Malone (0-1 each).

Carlow: A. O'Brien; B.J. Molloy, P. McElligott, G. Nolan; B. Kavanagh, D. Mulvanny, B. Lambe; P. Reade, D. Foley; D. Walshe, C. Murphy, E. Ruth; S. Gannon, C Mullins, J.J. Smith. Subs: D. Hayden for Reade; B. Murphy for Walsh; P. Murphy for Molloy; E. Finnegan for Mullins.

Kilkenny: D. Garvey; D. Grennan, O. Walsh, K. O'Brien; J. Dollard, M. Malone, J.J. Grace; R. O'Hara, P. McBride; S. Duggan, R. O'Keeffe, R. Shore; J. Fennelly, J. Culleton, G. Lawlor. Subs: G. Smith for Dollard; C. Tyler for O'Keeffe. Tweet

Most Read Stories