Cork and Kilkenny keep it to script with opening wins in Division 1A

January 25, 2026

Cork's William Buckley celebrates after scoring his side's third goal of the match ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Cork recorded their first competitive win under new manager Ben O’Connor in emphatic fashion by seeing off Waterford on a 3-25 to 1-17 scoreline at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A blistering start saw the home side running up a 0-12 to 0-3 lead on the Deise men before Alan Connolly hammered in their first goal in the 18th minute.

The Rebels’ second goal arrived some seven minutes later via Declan Dalton (penalty) as they motored towards a 2-16 to 0-9 lead at half-time.

Mark Coleman, William Buckley and new captain Darragh Fitzgibbon kept the scores coming for O’Connor’s men after the change of ends before Waterford were awarded a penalty in the 45th minute.

Shane Bennett would send his shot low to the net for three points which were wiped out in the next attack by the Leesiders, with Buckley providing the finish which killed off any outside chance of a comeback from the visitors.

In UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny came good in the closing 10 minutes to see out a 0-20 to 0-16 win against Offaly in their opening assignment in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League.

Eoin Cody struck 0-10 for the Leinster champions while Mossey Keoghan and Jordan Molloy chipped in with 0-3 apiece in the hard-fought victory.

The Cats held a 0-9 to 0-6 advantage at the halfway stage before the scores of Oisin Kelly and Adam Screeney brought Offaly back within one.

Kilkenny moved back up by four ahead of the Faithful men trimming their deficit to the minimum again, but the scores of Paddy Deegan, Cody, Keoghan and Shane Murphy down the home stretch would ensure the win for Derek Lyng’s men.


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