Kilkenny joined Clare at the top of the Allianz NHL Division 1A table, as Billy Drennan notched 0-11 en route to a 1-26 1-19 win over Offaly.
Having went in six points down at the break, Kilkenny blitzed the Faithful with a purple patch that returned 1-10 in just 12 minutes, with the usual suspect in the form of Eoin Cody grabbing the goal.
To their credit, Offaly stuck in the fight, but Charlie Mitchell’s green flag proved little other than a consolation in the end. They will have to dust themselves down for a home meeting with Cork in two week’s time, as Kilkenny make the trip to Ennis.
The Rebels picked up their first points of the campaign with a win over Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford on Sunday, holding on after a late Déise surge.
Having found themselves 1-19 to 1-08 down, Fitzgerald’s men rallied to come within a goal, but Alan Connolly and Ger Millerick struck crucial scores coming down the stretch sealed the deal for Cork.
Elsewhere in Division 1A, Wexford claimed a third draw in three games at home to Clare. A 71st minute score from Jack O’Connor seized an unlikely point, cancelling out Clare’s Mark Rodgers score just a minute earlier.
Substitute Rodgers, fresh from a stellar Fitzgibbon Cup for beaten finalists UL, was ultimately undone by O’Connor, who himself only entered the fray from the bench.
The only goal came from Wexford’s Séamus Casey, who helped himself to 1-4, while talisman Lee Chin also chipped in with 0-3, as the Yellow Bellies claimed yet another draw.
Yesterday, Limerick and Tipperary struck 3-30 and 3-25 respectively as they earned expected wins over Dublin and Westmeath in Division 1B.
Kyle Hayes scored a point on his return for the Treaty, while Donnacha Ó Dálaigh struck two goals as he sent a message out to manager John Kiely.
For Tipp’, Mark Kehoe was similarly impressive, although Westmeath’s joy from long balls will concern the Premier, with their opposition accounting for a solid tally of 2-21.
In Division 2A, Down had Pearse Óg McCrickard to thank, as his strike salvaged a draw at home to underdogs Kildare. Jack Sheridan will be particularly disappointed, as his personal haul of 1-12 wasn’t quite enough for the Lilywhites.
That result leaves Down three points adrift of Carlow, with the Leinster outfit overcoming rivals Laois on a scoreline of 0-21 to 1-23.
In Division 2B, a Séamus Sweeney goal proved crucial as Tyrone claimed an impressive draw with Donegal on Saturday evening. On Sunday, Derry claimed a comfortable win over London, while Wicklow and Roscommon drew to leave the Oak Leafers three points clear at the summit.
In Division 3A, Monaghan provided the shock of the weekend in beating Armagh, while Mayo and Sligo also claimed wins over Cavan and Louth respectively.
Finally, in Division 3B, Fermanagh and Leitrim each claimed comfortable wins against English opposition Lancashire and Warwickshire.