James Stephens power to finish

Kilkenny SHC Semi-final replay/James Stephens 1-12 O'Loughlin Gaels 0-8: O'Loughlin Gaels bowed out of the Kilkenny senior hurling championship as this semi-final replay failed to match the excitement of the first game, but James Stephens had enough in reserve to comfortably win.

Early points from Eoin Larkin (two) and Jackie Tyrrell saw James Stephens take the initiative. O'Loughlins didn't get going until the 19th minute when their under-21 county star Brian Dowling found the mark.

James Stephens upped the tempo and further points from Larkin and Joe Murphy (two) had them well in front. A Larkin goal on 27 minutes cemented their lead, with the champions only able to pull two points back through Maurice Nolan frees before the break (1-7 to 0-3).

O'Loughlin Gaels made greater effort in the second half, but a Martin Comerford shot struck the post, while Nolan saw his 41st-minute penalty saved by goalkeeper Francis Cantwell.

James Stephens took advantage to put the game beyond doubt. A hat-trick of Larkin points, plus one from Gary Whelan, was enough to secure their place in the final.

They will play Young Irelands (Gowran) in the decider in Nowlan Park on Sunday.

JAMES STEPHENS: F Cantwell; D Cody, M Phelan, D Grogan; P Barry, P Larkin, P Butler; J Tyrrell (0-1), B McEvoy; E McCormack, E Larkin (1-8, 6 frees), G Whelan (0-1); J Murphy (0-2), R Hayes, D McCormack.

O'LOUGHLIN GAELS: K Cleere; B Kelly, B Hogan, B Murphy; A O'Brien, S Dowling, P Dowling; A Geoghegan (0-3, 1 free, 0-1 65), S Cummins; N Bergin, A Comerford, M Comerford (0-1); J Lalor, M Nolan (0-2 frees), B Dowling (0-2). Subs: M Holohan for Bergin, N Skehan for Lalor.

Referee: D O'Sullivan (John Lockes).

In the London senior hurling championship final Robert Emmet's won their first senior title when defeating Fr Murphy's, 0-14 to 0-8. Brian Foley, Gavin O'Mahony and Alan Mooney impressed in the back line while goalkeeper Mark Kearney made a number of superb saves.