Kilkenny 3-23

Dublin 4-12

Luke Swan scored a hat-trick of goals for Dublin, but a more clinical Kilkenny still came out on top in an entertaining Leinster MHC first round clash at Parnell Park.

The classy Castleknock full forward gave the hosts a perfect start with a second-minute goal, but the Cats battled back to take a 1-4 to 1-3 lead thanks to Cathal O'Leary's 15th minute major. Swan then struck for his second goal, only for George Murphy to cancel it out at the other end to help Richie Mulrooney's charges to a 2-10 to 2-7 interval lead.

A flurry of Conor Kelly frees extended the visitors' advantage on the restart before a scrambled goal left the physically-strong Dubs trailing by just two points, 3-10 to 2-15, entering the final quarter.

Swan's third goal had the sides level, 4-12 to 2-18, with six minutes to go, but the Cats hit back with a Ciaran Brennan goal and four Kelly frees to open the campaign with a win.

Kilkenny - J Brennan; P Dempsey, J Young, J Harkin; S Staunton, P Moylan, H Walsh; C Kenny (0-1), C Kelly (0-14, 12f); D Maher, C Brennan (1-3, 0-1f), J Morrissey (0-2); C O'Leary (1-1), G Murphy (1-2), K Hogan. Sub: E Guilfoyle for K Hogan.

Dublin - J Lambert; K Byrne, C Hogan, T Cullen; E Carney, A O'Neill (0-1), I O hEithir; D Leavy, D Power; D McLoughney, P Christie (0-1), C Foley; L Dunne (1-7, 0-5f, 0-1'65), L Swan (3-1), D Purcell (0-2). Subs: F Murphy for T Cullen, C Murray for D McLoughney, A O'Toole for C Foley, S Fenton for D Purcell.

Referee - B Redmond.

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