Henry Shefflin, the new sensation of Kilkenny hurling, scored two first half goals to give Kilkenny a cushion they were never to surrender in the Leinster hurling semi-final at Nowlan Park last evening.

He pounced in the 10th and 12th minute to put six points between the teams. Dublin responded themselves with a magnificent goal from Shane Ryan who soloed through from 35 yards to bury the ball in the back of the net, giving Kilkenny goalkeeper Jamie Power no chance.

In the second half, Dublin could find no way through a tough Kilkenny defence where Noel Hickey at full back and senior player Michael Kavanagh were excellent.

KILKENNY: J Power; A Walpole, N Hickey, M Kavanagh; J O'Neill (0-2), A Cummins, R Mullaly; A Geoghegan, J P Corcoran; M Gordon (0-3), J Hoyne (0-1), E Brennan (0-2); J Barron, H Shefflin (2-5), P Delaney. Subs: J Coogan for Delaney, P Buggy (0-1) for Geoghegan.

DUBLIN: E Curley; D Henry, D Spain, M Breathnach; A de Paor, L Ryan, P Meehan; S Martin, J Cullen; N Murphy, R Brennan, T McGrane (0-7); E Carroll (0-1), S Ryan (1-0), D Donnelly (0-1). Subs: D Foley for Brennan, S McDonnell for Donnelly, W McCarthy for Murphy.