Battling Dublin run Kilkenny so close

LENISTER MH CHAMPIONSHIP/Semi-finals:Kilkenny 0-18; Dublin 2-10:  In the history of Leinster minor hurling championship, Dublin have never managed to beat Kilkenny but last night at Portlaoise, Dublin produced a wonderful display and nearly caught a very fancied side.

In the opening half Dublin, aided by a slight breeze, were the dominant team and had four points on the board before Ritchie Power opened Kilkenny's account.

The remainder of the half was evenly contested but Kilkenny never led and on the call of half-time Dublin centre forward Gearoid Keogh gave his side a 0-7 to 0-6 lead.

On the changeover, Aidan Glennon stretched the Dublin lead with a well-taken point but then Kilkenny hit back with six points without reply. Then, in the 45th minute, Dublin's Glennon broke through the Kilkenny defence for a wonderful goal.

Again Kilkenny went ahead with points from Power, Ciaran Hoyne and Shane Coogan. Then disaster struck for Dublin when, with minutes five remaining and only three points separating the sides they were reduced to 14 players.

But with three minutes remaining Dublin substitute Sean O'Sullivan scored his side's second goal.

Then, Dublin were awarded a free 40 metres out. Defender Sean O'Connor attempted to keep his shot low but his effort went over the bar to the sound of the final whistle.

KILKENNY: C Grant; P Holden, J Tennyson, D Prendergast; K Nolan, PJ Delaney, C Hoyne (0-1); M Rice, S Maher; S Dowling (0-1), W O'Dwyer (0-1), S Coogan (0-3), J Fitzpatrick (0-5), R Power (0-6), R Dowling (0-1). Subs: D McCormack for S Dowling; E Reid for R Dowling; M Heffernan for Rice.

DUBLIN: G O'Meara; D O'Reilly, C O'Brien, F Byrnes; C Ó Muineachain, R Fallon (0-3), S O'Connor (0-1); M Carton, T Sweeney; P Fleury (0-1), G Keogh (0-1), G Morris; M Griffin (0-2), S Mullen, A Glennon (1-1). Subs: I Sheedy for Mullen; P McAvinue (0-1) for M Griffin; S O'Sullivan (1-0) for G Morris.

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly)