Kilkenny finish off Offaly after slow start

NHL Division 1A: Kilkenny 0-20 Offaly 0-16 Leinster neighbours Kilkenny and Offaly played out a closely fought league opener in Nowlan Park, with the Cats running out four-point winners. A late flourish in which Paddy Deegan, Mossy Keoghan and Shane Murphy were all on target was enough for the home side to prevail even if it was far from straightforward. Offaly, who were only promoted from Division 1B last term, really threw down the gauntlet to their higher-ranked opponents for much of the 70 minutes, with Adam Screeney leading the way with a final tally of nine points. The Faithful County will be disappointed to come away from...