Kilkenny 2-17 Laois 0-15:DIARMUID CODY produced a great display along with his half forward counterpart Conor Martin that eventually wore down a very determined Laois team at Portlaoise on Saturday evening.
Kilkenny got the dream start when they were awarded a penalty in the opening minutes and at half-time the visitors let by 1-7 to 0-5.
With the advantage of a strong breeze on the change over Kilkenny would have expected to pull away but Laois kept up the pressure and entering the final quarter the margin was reduced to the minimum.
Laois enjoyed their best spell midway through the second half shooting six great points and with 13 minutes remaining Kilkenny led 1-12 to 0-14 and an upset was on the cards but a second goal by Conor Martin sealed a semi-final place for Kilkenny.
KILKENNY: D Holohan; C Doyle, J McDonnell, R Fitzpatrick; C Bolger, E Morrissey (0-1), J Maher; M Donnelly (0-1), K Walsh; C Martin (2-7), R Moran (0-1), D Cody (0-2); K Kenny, E Bergin (0-3), S Donnelly. Subs: D Bourke (0-2) for S Donnelly and C Wafer for C Doyle.
LAOIS: E Rowland; D Palmer, C McEvoy, C Dunne; A McGowan, P Bergin, G Dunne; C Stapleton, C Taylor; A Corby (0-1), C Dwyer (0-4), B Conroy (0-1); A Moore, D Quinlan, PJ Scully (0-9). Subs: J Lennon for D Quinlan, D Lynch for P Bergin.
Referee: J Keenan (Wicklow).
