Kilkenny cruises to victory in Leinster U20 Hurling clash with Offaly

Kilkenny made a big score but they were never under much pressure as they sailed to victory over Offaly in this tame Leinster U20 hurling championship match at UPMC Nowlan Park.

ffaly struggled a lot when they were six points down at the break after games in the light wind. Within nine minutes of the restart, the Cats added five unanswered points and the semi-final berth against Galway was wrapped up.

The first half was an easy affair. Kilkenny led 2-9 to 0-9 at the break thanks to goals from Harry Shine (6th minute) and Billy Drennan (28th minute).

The Cats had a good distribution of eight goalscorers, including fullbacks Paddy Langton and Billy Reid. Offaly was kept in touch most of the time by deadly freetaker Lochlann Quinn, who scored five of his points from set pieces.

The winners opened the new half with unanswered points from Shine (2), Billy Drennan, Geroid Dunne and Billy Reid for a firmer grip on the tie. Offaly missed a scoring chance during that period and while they were down they kept the pursuit going and a late shot from Luke Nolan at 1-1 helped their effort be more accurately reflected on the scoreboard.

Goalscorers – Kilkenny: B. Drennan 1-7 (0-7f); H gloss 1-3; B Reid, G Dunne 0-3 each; JDoyle 1-0; T Clifford 0-2; P Langton, P McDonald, A Hickey each 0-1. By-products: L. Quinn 0-6 (6f); LNolan 1-2; DJ McLoughlin, L. Carey (2f) 0-2 each; S Ryan, D Bourke, C Mitchell, D Tierney each 0-1.

Kilkenny: a tallis; N Rowe, S Purcell, P Moylan; P Langton, J Fitzpatrick, B Reid; K Doyle, P McDonald; A Love Bite, T Clifford, I Byrne; B. Drennan, G. Dunne, H. Shine. Subtitle: P Lennon for Purcell (42), J Doyle for Byrne (47), D Walsh for Doyle (40), T Dunne for Hickey (48), M Gannon for Clifford (55).

By-products: M Troy; C King, C Hardiman, J Hoctor; S Ryan, S Bourke, L Watkins; J Screeney, D Bourke; R Cleary, L Nolan, DJ McLoughlin; L Quinn, C Mitchell, C Burke. Subtitle: L Carey for Cleary (ht), J Ryan for Mitchell (ht), R Dunne for Bourke (47), N Lyons for Quinn (49), D Tierney for Watkins (55).

Referee: C. Flynn (Westmeath).