Big guns mix well with Young

Hurling Interprovincial semi-finals/ Leinster 1-25 Connacht 0-10: Leinster qualified for the M Donnelly interprovincial final in Boston after a whirlwind opening half against the wind in Loughrea yesterday. Laois midfielder James Young shot 0-12, three from play, for the winners and had an excellent game overall.

Leinster qualified for the M Donnelly interprovincial final in Boston after a whirlwind opening half against the wind in Loughrea yesterday. Laois midfielder James Young shot 0-12, three from play, for the winners and had an excellent game overall.

Connacht started brightly and Niall Healy shot three points and Shane Kavanagh converted a long-range free to put them 0-4 to 0-1 in front after six minutes.

Leinster took control over the next 10 minutes, shooting 1-7 without a reply from Connacht. Gary Hanniffy got the game's only goal after 17 minutes.

Healy replied with three points for Connacht before the break but Leinster were picking off scores at will and by half-time they added another seven points,

Fergal Healy got the first score after the break but Connacht were unable to break down a solid Leinster rearguard.

The eastern province scored another seven points before Niall Healy got Connacht's second score of the half after 67 minutes as Leinster ran out easy winners.

LEINSTER: D Fitzhenry; R Mullaly, D Ryan, J Tennyson; R Hanniffy, D Ruth, JJ Delaney; J Ryall, J Young (0-12, nine frees); R Power (0-4), M Comerford (0-1), T Walsh (0-2); E Brennan (0-2), G Hanniffy (1-2), B Carroll (0-2). Subs: S Clynch for Comerford (55 mins), S Kavanagh for Delaney (55 mins), M Cordial for Ryall (62 mins).

CONNACHT: L Donoghue; D Joyce, T Óg Regan, A Coen; D Hardiman, L Hodgins, G Mahon; S Kavanagh (0-1, free), D Collins; F Healy (0-1), R Murray, K Broderick; K Higgins, N Healy (0-7, four frees, one 65), N Kenny. Subs: T Tierney (0-1) for Kenny (34 mins, inj), K Wade for Murray (half-time), K Burke for Mahon (half-time), M Connaughton for Broderick (59 mins), M Keaveney for Coen (60 mins), R Mullery for Collins (64 mins).

Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).