Dublin continue resurgence

Leinster Under-21 HC Semi-final/ Dublin 0-17 Offaly 1-11: Signs of a resurgence in Dublin hurling continued at Parnell Park last night as the home side defeated Offaly to book their place in the Leinster under-21 final against Kilkenny.

Dublin included four of the team that lost out to Offaly by three points in the senior qualifier clash on Saturday and, with the wind at their backs, opened up a 0-8 to 0-0 lead without reply with Alan McCrabbe and Eoin Moran registering some fine points from distance.

Alan Egan set up Ciarán Slemin for a goal opportunity for Offaly but under pressure from the Dublin defence the latter's shot went wide

Offaly, however, finished the half strongly with points from Eddie Bevans, Joe Bergin and Dylan Hayden reducing the deficit to 0-10 to 0-3 by the interval.

Dublin added two points through Kevin O'Reilly early in the second half to stretch the gap to nine points. Successive frees by Shane Dooley and David Kenny followed by a score at each end saw the arrears down to seven points before Bevans scored Offaly's goal straight from a sideline ball.

But Dublin managed to hold off the Faithful County's comeback with Kevin O'Reilly finishing as their top scorer with 0-7 on the night.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; G O'Meara, P Bergin, D O'Reilly; K Nolan, T Brady, C Billings; J McCaffrey (0-1), W Lowry; E Moran (0-3), G Morris (0-2), K O'Reilly (0-7, three frees); P Carton, D O'Dwyer, A McCrabbe (0-3). Subs: J Boland for Lowry (40 mins), K Dunne (0-1) for Moran (49 mins).

OFFALY: R Murray; K Grogan, P Cleary (0-1, free), S Clancy; C Hernon, D Hoctor, J Rigney; D Hayden (0-2), S Dooley (0-2, two frees); E Bevans (1-3, one point from a sideline), M Verney, D Kenny (0-1, free); C Slevin, J Bergin (0-2), A Egan. Subs: N Rogers for Verney (26 mins), D Molloy for Shevlin (49 mins).

Referee: S O'Faolain (Wexford).