FERMANAGH brushed aside Louth at Enniskillen yesterday to reach the semi finals of the All Ireland B Hurling Championship.

Louth were well in contention at chaff time when they trailed by 2-3 to 0-3. But disaster struck nine minutes from the interval when corner back Barry Myles allowed a 70-metre free from Ollie McShea to slip his grasp and the ball trickled over the line.

Louth got off to a great start in the second half, but three unanswered points for Fermanagh, from Ollie McShea (2) and Ciaran Dunne, settled the side.

Louth's Aaron Hoey helped himself to a badly-needed goal in the 62nd minute but, unfortunately for his team, Fermanagh had scored their third goal through John Dunne seconds earlier.

With the score at 3-7 to 1-7 Fermanagh wrapped up the game six minutes from time with their fourth goal from sub Cyril Dunne. KILDARE went through to the next round of the championship at Newbridge yesterday thanks, in the main, to full-forward Tom Carew who converted four frees to help the winners to a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead.

The Northerners made a promising start to the second half, taking the lead in the 50th minute. However Kildare responded to win.