Kilkenny are dethroned

Leinster Under-21 SHC semi-final/ Offaly 1-13 Kilkenny 0-13: Offaly booked their place in the Leinster decider last night, dethroning All-Ireland under-21 champions Kilkenny at Nowlan Park.

It was a huge shock for the home side, who were hoping to secure their fifth Leinster under-21 hurling title in succession this summer.

Offaly, hurling with the wind, made light of the slippery conditions and raced into a commanding lead in the first quarter.

By the 15th minute they had seven points on the board from six different players - Cathal Parlon grabbing two scores. Kilkenny had just two points to show for their efforts, through Mark Aylward and Richie Hogan.

Offaly - who last won the Leinster under-21 hurling title in 2000, when they also beat Kilkenny by a single goal - continued to create the better chances

They capitalised again when Alan Egan scooped a dropping ball past goalkeeper Liam Tierney in the 23rd minute.

At the break, the visitors led by six points - 1-8 to 0-5.

When Diarmuid Horan added another free shortly after the restart, it looked like Offaly could race away with the game.

However, an alarming number of wides by the visitors - Offaly hit 15 in all - allowed Kilkenny to work their way back into the game. Backed by five points from Richie Hogan, they eventually moved to within two points of the leaders by the end of normal time (1-12 to 0-13).

Offaly were hanging on, but a superb last-gasp point by Shane Dooley, picked off from the tightest of angles, gave the Offaly their place in the final against Dublin - who last won the Leinster under-21 hurling title back in 1972.

OFFALY: M Mulrooney; C Hernon, P Cleary, C Coughlan; D Kenny, B Leonard (0-1), B Watkins; S Ryan, C Mahon; D Horan (0-5, three frees), J Bergin (0-1), C Parlon (0-2); S Dooley (0-3), D Molloy, A Egan (1-1). Subs: C Slevin, J Gorman.

KILKENNY: L Tierney; JJ Kenny, E Walsh, B Healy; N Walsh, K Joyce, S Prendergast; R Dollard, P Hartley (0-2); R Hogan (0-6, four frees, 1 65), J Mulhall, TJ Reid (0-2); M Ruth, E Guinan (0-1), M Aylward (0-1). Subs: P Hogan, E O'Shea, E O'Donoghue (0-1), M Nolan.

Referee: A Stapleton(Laois).