Another late Liam Blanchfield goal propelled Kilkenny to a 2-19 to 1-13 victory over Offaly at Nowlan Park.

The win means the Cats are guaranteed at least an All-Ireland quarter-final play-off berth this summer. Helped by Joe Bergin's major, Offaly had trimmed a nine-point deficit back to three with just six minutes left but the Noresiders reeled off an unanswered 1-3 to prevail comfortably.

TJ Reid's 16th-minute major made it 1-6 to 0-5 and a brace each from Luke Scanlon and Reid ensured that the winners led by 1-10 to 0-7 at the break.

Reid and Richie Leahy increased the gap to eight upon the resumption and substitute Colin Fennelly made it 1-16 to 0-10 with a quarter of the game remaining.

Bergin's goal buoyed the visitors and an unlikely comeback seemed briefly possible only for the Cats to finish strongly for the second weekend running.

But they hit 22 wides today and will have to improve before travelling to Galway next weekend.

Another late Liam Blanchfield goal propelled Kilkenny to a 2-19 to 1-13 victory over Offaly at Nowlan Park.

The win means the Cats are guaranteed at least an All-Ireland quarter-final play-off berth this summer. Helped by Joe Bergin's major, Offaly had trimmed a nine-point deficit back to three with just six minutes left but the Noresiders reeled off an unanswered 1-3 to prevail comfortably.

TJ Reid's 16th-minute major made it 1-6 to 0-5 and a brace each from Luke Scanlon and Reid ensured that the winners led by 1-10 to 0-7 at the break.

Reid and Richie Leahy increased the gap to eight upon the resumption and substitute Colin Fennelly made it 1-16 to 0-10 with a quarter of the game remaining.

Bergin's goal buoyed the visitors and an unlikely comeback seemed briefly possible only for the Cats to finish strongly for the second weekend running.

But they hit 22 wides today and will have to improve before travelling to Galway next weekend.

Kilkenny - E Murphy (0-1f); J Holden, P Walsh, P Deegan; C Delaney, C Buckley, P Murphy; C Fogarty, L Ryan; M Keoghan (0-2), TJ Reid (1-5, 0-4f), R Leahy (0-1); J Donnelly (0-2), L Blanchfield (1-2), L Scanlon (0-4). Subs: C Fennelly (0-2) for C Fogarty, C Browne for L Ryan, G Aylward for L Scanlon, C O'Shea for R Leahy.

Offaly - E Cahill; T Spain, D Shortt, B Conneely; D Egan, P Camon (0-1), D O'Toole Greene; D King, S Kinsella (0-2); O Kelly (0-1), C Egan (0-1), P Murphy; D Currams, J Bergin (1-3), S Dooley (0-5, 4f). Subs: C Mahon for P Murphy, P Delaney for T Spain, R Hughes for D Currams, S Ryan for C Egan, T Geraghty for S Kinsella.

Referee - J Owens.

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