Roles reversed as Saint backs Cats while Verney lauds Cork

Shane and Michael preview the National Hurling League semi-final clash between Cork and Kilkenny at Nowlan Park.

Kilkenny have scored just four goals in their five games so far during the league, while Cork have registered 12 during that timeframe.

Last season, these traditional rivals met at the same stage of the NHL at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, with the Rebels coming out on top.

Shane Stapleton ponders where Kilkenny are at this year and expects Nowlan Park to be a cauldron this coming weekend.

Michael Verney, who has in the past questioned Cork’s staying power in the latter stages of championships, is leaning toward the Rebels in this clash.

“I’m not sure what to make of Kilkenny so far, it’s hard to get a read on them,” he says.

“I remember in the second half of the Limerick game when Hoggie (Patrick Horgan) made a 100-yard dash just to cover a run,” Verney adds, suggesting there has been a change within the Leesiders.

“You, who has been so critical of Cork, think they will man up at Nowlan Park of all places?” an exasperated Stapleton asks.

“I do,” says Verney.

SUNDAY: CORK v KILKENNY, UPMC NOWLAN PARK, 4.0 
Cork, who last won the Division 1 title in 1998, are bidding to reach the final for a second successive year while Kilkenny were last there in 2018. 

They meet in the semi-final for a second successive year, with Cork having won by four points last year. 

HOW THEY REACHED THE SEMI-FINALS 
CORK 
Cork 2-17 Limerick 0-22 
Cork 4-24 Galway 3-22 
Cork 2-21 Westmeath 0-21 
Cork 2-14 Wexford 0-18 
Cork 2-18 Clare 2-18 
Played 5, Won 4, Drew 1 

Top Scorers 
S Kingston……….1-22 (0-17 frees) 
D Dalton…………..1-12 (0-5 frees) 
C Lehane………….2-8 (0-3 frees) 
S Barrett…………..1-9 
P Horgan………….0-10 (0-5 frees, 0-1 ‘65’) 

KILKENNY  
Kilkenny 1-18 Antrim 0-15  
Tipperary 2-24 Kilkenny 1-21  
Kilkenny 0-34 Laois 1-18. 
Kilkenny 2-25 Dublin1-17 
Kilkenny 0-18 Waterford 0-16 
Played 5, Won 4, Lost 1. 

Top Scorers
B Drennan………….1-52 (0-39 frees, 0-1 ‘65’) 
M Keoghan………..1-10 
E Cody……………….2-7 (0-2 frees) 
J Donnelly………….0-10 
P Deegan…………..0-6 
B Ryan……………….0-6 

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