Leinster 2-19 Connacht 1-15:NOT EVEN the wind could stop Leinster from giving a gale-force performance as they racked up their 27th success in the interprovincial hurling championship.

Despite starting playing into the elements, Leinster ran up an 11-point lead in the opening half at Nowlan Park yesterday and never looked back.

“The job was done during the first half,” said Leinster manager, Joe Dooley. “We played very well and picked off some great scores. It was nice to win, and the players really enjoyed it. Every player we asked to get involved from the first day answered the call, so the enthusiasm for the competition is there among the players.”

The winners, with eight Kilkenny players in the starting XV, took a firm grip on things once Ryan O’Dwyer bagged a goal in the 11th minute. O’Dwyer bagged his second goal before half-time, the strike coming after superb build-up play between Shane Dooley and Eoin Larkin.

That goal helped Leinster into a commanding interval lead of 2-13 to 0-8. With the wind at their backs in the second half they appeared to relax a bit. Connacht took advantage to close the gap between the sides but never got within striking distance.

LEINSTER: G Maguire; P Murphy, K Rossiter, J Tyrrell; T Walsh, N Corcoran, R Hanniffy; M Rice, M Fennelly; R Power (0-10, 8f, 1 65), J Bergin (0-2), E Larkin (0-2); S Dooley (0-3), R O’Dwyer (2-2), TJ Reid. Subs: D Herity for Maguire (36 mins); B Murtagh for O’Dwyer (48 mins); P Ryan for Reid (49 mins); R Jacob for Dooley (61 mins); D Kenny for Corcoran (61 mins).

CONNACHT: J Ryan; P Shiel, D Collins, G O’Halloran; N Donoghue, F Moore, J Cooney; A Harte, J Grealish; J Coen, C Cooney (0-9, 8f), I Tannian (0-1); B Burke (0-3), B Daly, D Burke (0-1). Subs: P Gordon for Grealish (33 mins); D Hayes (1-1) for Coen (36 mins); J Regan for Tannian (41 mins); D Glennon for B Daly (47 mins); K Raymond for N Donoghue (59 mins).

Referee: C Lyons (Cork).