KCK 4 – KH 1

The senior hockey team under captain Aaron Empey can be happy with their impressive display in putting King’s Hospital away 4-1 in the league last Wednesday at home.
Structured defending and patience from the home side gave way to smart passes and through balls triggering attacks that broke down the resilient opposition. Two first-half goals came from Evin McClure, the second of which was executed with composure as he lifted the ball over a foundered ‘keeper.
The second half was a more open affair with Kilkenny worrying the KH defence more than the score line suggests. Trojan work was done around the field as the mids and forwards created chances. Declan Coffey found himself with space to drive a ruthless shot home. But the KH boys rallied and after some mounting pressure, forced a corner which they slotted home. Kilkenny responded in a spirited team fashion and, with moments to go, James Feely sent a wide-angled shot screaming into the KH backboard to finish top dogs.
Kilkenny, under coach Nasir munir Chaudhry, can be very happy with their progress to date. Another league win in the up-coming clash with High School will see them in the league semi-final play offs.
Immediate business though is that of the All-Ireland’s in Cork October 25th- 27th. A reasonably favourable draw pits them against High School, Wallace and Royal & Prior. Playing this style of hockey, the boys must be eyeing up a semi-final position.