Walsh Cup/ Kilkenny 3-18 UCD 0-14:Kilkenny got 2007 off to winning start with a very comfortable Walsh Cup win over University College Dublin yesterday.

The students were given a lesson in hurling by the home side, whose sharp attacking skills saw them lead by 14 points at the break in Thomastown.

While the Dublin side did open the scoring thanks to Kilkenny native Bryan Barry, Brian Cody's side quickly took over.

With Aidan Fogarty (1-4) and Eoin Larkin to the fore, the cup holders raced into a 3-10 to 0-5 lead by half-time.

The All-Ireland champions never looked to be in any danger in the second half, and limited the chances that came to the UCD forwards. And late scores from James Ryall and Richie Power saw Kilkenny finish with a flourish.

Next up for Kilkenny is a semi-final meeting with Offaly on Sunday.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; J Tyrrell, B Hogan, N Hickey; J Ryall (0-1), J Dalton, T Walsh; P Cleere, M Rice; R Power (0-6, one free), W O'Dwyer (0-1), E Larkin (2-1); E McCormack (0-1), M Murphy (0-2), A Fogarty (1-4). Subs: D Lyng for Cleere, R Mullally for Hickey, S O'Neill (0-1)for Fogarty, M Comerford (0-1)for McCormack, A Murphy for Rice.

UCD: D Fogarty; J O'Mahony, S Cummins, D Prendergast; C Billings (0-1), T Brady, B Buckley; B Barry (0-2, one free), S Nolan (0-8, five frees); R O'Carroll (0-1), D Hayes, B Murphy; PJ Nolan (0-1), J McCarthy (0-1), K Burke. Subs: K Breen for S Cummins, E Quigley for B Barry, T O'Connor for K Burke, W Whelan for O'Carroll.

Referee: J Owens(Wexford).