Kilkenny bounced back from the disappointment of last Sunday’s Leinster MHC final defeat in fine fashion today.

The Cats took their frustration out on Clare en route to recording a 2-14 to 0-13 All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final victory at Semple Stadium.

Goals in either half from Pierce Blanchfield and Colman O’Sullivan were key ingredients in their victory.

Blanchfield raised a green flag in the 22nd minute and that score separated the sides at the break – 1-7 to 0-7.

The second-half was 10 minutes old when centre-forward O’Sullivan found the back of the Banner County’s net to open up a six point lead (2-10 to 0-10) for Richie Mulrooney’s side and they comfortably saw out the remainder of the contest.

They now turn their attention to a round 2 clash with Galway which is scheduled for next Saturday.

Kilkenny - A Tallis; B Reid, W Halpin, T Roche; P McDonald, P Moylan, J Aylward; A Hickey, D Walsh; P Blanchfield (1-3), C O’Sullivan (1-0), L Moore; B Drennan (0-9, 4f, 1'66), T Clifford (0-1), J Doyle (0-1). Subs: S Doyle for D Walsh, I Byrne for C O’Sullivan, Z Bay Hammond for T Clifford.

Clare - A Shanahan; S Devanney, A Hogan, C McGroary; J Collins, C Galvin (0-3, 2f, 1'65), T Butler; C O’Meara (0-1), O O’Donnell (0-1); K O’Connor (0-1), O Clune, S Meehan (0-3, 2f); D Downes, C Hegarty (0-4), D Cahill. Subs: C Murphy for O Clune, S Ronan for D Downes, S Punch for D Cahill, K Smyth for J Collins, C Beirne for T Butler.

Referee - N Wall.

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