Kilkenny 0-18 Offaly 0-15:KILKENNY BOOKED their place in the Leinster under-21 hurling final at Nowlan Park last night but were pushed all the way by Offaly.

With midfielder Mark Kelly leading the way Kilkenny raced into a 0-7 to 0-1 lead but three points, Mark Egan (free), Brian Leonard and Conor Mahon, made it a two-point game by the 22nd minute. Kilkenny led by two points at half-time but Odrahn Kealey and Conor Mahon shot Offaly level within minutes of the restart.

Mahon nearly goaled on 45 minutes and there was nothing in it with a quarter left to play, 0-13 to 0-13. In the closing stages the All-Ireland champions showed their class as Richie Hogan, James Nolan, Jonjo Farrell and John Mulhall picked off points. Offaly finished with scores from Kealey and James Gorman.

KILKENNY: C McGrath; P Murphy, A Kearns, C Fogarty; Lester Ryan, D Langton, J Dowling; M, Kelly (0-3), M Walsh (0-1); C Fennelly (0-2), J Farrell (0-2), J Mulhall (0-3); M Bergin, R Hogan (0-6, three frees, one 65), Liam Ryan. Subs: J Nolan (0-1) for Liam Ryan (41 mins), P Nolan for Dowling (43 mins).

OFFALY: J Dempsey; B Harding, S Wynne, B Coughlan; D Morkan, E Murphy, K Mollen; C Mahon (0-3), D Mooney; J Mulrooney, D Currams (0-3, two frees), M Egan (0-2, frees); J Gorman (0-3), B Leonard (0-1), O Kealey (0-3). Subs: C Egan for M Egan (24 mins), G Scales for Mulrooney (42 mins).

Referee: F Smith (Meath).