Cork are into their first Allianz Hurling League in seven years after coming from behind to defeat Kilkenny by 1-27 to 2-20 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh tonight.

Kieran Kingston’s men recovered from their shaky start to claim the four-point victory here and book a date with either Waterford or Wexford in next weekend’s Division 1 decider.

The first of Martin Keoghan’s two goals on the night helped Kilkenny to lead by 1-6 to 0-4 after 15 minutes and while Cork did level through the excellent Ciarán Joyce and Patrick Horgan, it was the Cats that went on to take in the interval lead.

Keoghan again proved the torn in the Rebels’ side as he netted his second major to send Brian Cody’s men in with a 2-12 to 0-14 advantage.

Alan Connolly got the hosts motoring early on in the resumption with a fine point and, while the Cats hit back, points from Robbie O'Flynn, Conor Lehane and Shane Kingston kept the Leesiders right in touch.

Connolly and Tom Mahony sailed over points to level prior to Alan Murphy restoring the Kilkenny lead but, with three minutes to go, Cork landed a decisive blow.

It saw Darragh Fitzgibbon racing through and holding his nerve to finish to the visitors’ net, leaving Kingston’s men two to the good.

Fitzgibbon and Conor Lehane landed late points to secure the win which sees the Rebel County into a Division 1 hurling league decider for the first time since 2015.

GOAL!!!! from Darragh Fitzgibbon for @OfficialCorkGAA v @KilkennyCLG in the Allianz Hurling League Semi-Final #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/zoxBWnCMqr

— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 26, 2022

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