March 11th, 2013 
Rob 
After a bonus point home win on Sunday, Kilkenny lifted the Division 2a crown in Leinster and booked a return to the second tier thanks to a season of almost flawless winning rugby.
Kilkenny lost just the once all season – a seven point loss in Malahide at Christmas – and steamrolled most of their opponents average 32 points per game and conceding just 12 per game.
The losing bonus point in Malahide and their ability to match the north Dublin side for bonus points elsewhere proved key as it kept them in the driving seat and coming into the weekends game against already relegated New Ross, the hard yards had been made.
Still though, there was work to be done and the 49-0 win in front of a big home crowd rounded off a fine season for Steve Ashmore and co. The aim now will be to follow in the footsteps of Portarlington and Longford from recent seasons and establish themselves in the second tier.
Caption: Kilkenny receiving the trophy on Sunday. Pic: From Kilkenny RFC Facebook page.
Malahide lost out at Gorey, it was always going to be one of the tougher away assignments as the Wexford side’s efforts in this league have gone somewhat unnoticed in recent weeks with the top two pulling clear.
Gorey have lost just three games and all of them were tight. A two point loss at home to Kilkenny early doors was a set back and they lost by just seven in Malahide before losing by ten to the champions on home soil after Christmas.
Their good cup form and strong seconds side means that many expect them to contend next season.
Malahide have a play off to look forward to however against Ashbourne in a couple of weeks time and while they go into that as slight underdogs, they will be confident of pushing the Meath men from not too far away geographically, as close as possible.
At the other end of the table, Clane finished the season with another strong display in a home win over Portlaoise to get themselves ready for a Kildare derby in the promotion/relegation play off later this month when they face North Kildare.
The Table
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kilkenny | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 443 | 167 | 8 | 60 |
| 2 | Malahide | 14 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 395 | 150 | 6 | 54 |
| 3 | Gorey | 14 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 340 | 195 | 8 | 52 |
| 4 | Roscrea | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 304 | 227 | 7 | 35 |
| 5 | Mullingar | 14 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 248 | 325 | 3 | 23 |
| 6 | Portlaoise | 14 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 245 | 304 | 6 | 22 |
| 7 | Clane | 14 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 173 | 485 | 6 | 18 |
| 8 | New Ross | 14 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 111 | 406 | 3 | 7 |
Posted in
Congratulations to Kilkenny who are worthy champions. They conducted themselves with dignity after the game towards the New Ross team who just weren’t able to match the physical power and pace that Kilkenny played with.
To anyone connected with the New Ross team and club, although relegation is never nice, things can only get better from here and I look forward to seeing them challenge at the top of Div 2b next season
Well done to the Kilkenny Boys.
They are a bloody tough team to play against and very well drilled.
Ive no doubt they will have another superb year up a division next year.
Also best of luck to New Ross in the 2B and to Clane in their playoff. Both teams were obviously struggling for numbers but to be fair played all their fixtures and are two great groups of lads.
yeah well done KK. Will do well next year im sure. Mlahide pushed em all the way, but the 5 pointer in Roscrea decided matters conclusively. Altough we all know how good this Gorey side is and will be, I heard last weekend was taken as a chance to rest a few the more senior lads from the malahide team, huge test over the horizon. Best of luck to the V Ashbourne.