Kilkenny and Dublin have earned the right to contest the Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship final after semi-final victories on Saturday, 23^rd June.

Kilkenny defeated Offaly by 0-24 to 2-13 at Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, while Dublin edged out Wexford by 1-22 to 3-13 at Innovate Wexford Park.

The final will be the counties’ second meeting in this championship season, with their first round duel on 12^th May resulting in a 3-21 to 4-12 victory for ‘The Cats’.

In Tullamore last Saturday, Kilkenny’s greater scoring power eventually came to the fore against a resolute and committed Offaly outfit with captain Conor Kelly and centre forward Ciarán Brennan leading the way from frees and from play respectively for Richie Mulrooney’s side.

The first half was hugely entertaining and saw Offaly take a 1-10 to 0-11 lead into the dressing room, their goal scored from close range by Ciarán Teehan.

Cathal Kiely swung over a superb sideline ball and Dara Maher added two points from long range as the home supporters started to dream of an upset win after a superb second quarter.

Brennan was the shining light for the visitors as he fired over an array of points from all sorts of angles, while he also was unlucky to have a goal disallowed for square ball after he got a touch to Cian Kenny’s dropping ball.

Thoughts of a shock home triumph receded after half time, however, as Kilkenny completely took over with their half back line in imperious form, dominating the Offaly puckout.

Eight second half wides prevented them from putting real distance between the sides at any stage while a scrappy DJ McLoughlin goal revived a flagging Faithful county side just when it looked as if the Cats were about to go out of reach, but Kilkenny continued to monopolise primary possession and with a good supply of ball going into their forwards at all times, they continued to add scores with ease, with Cian Kenny, Eoin Guilfoyle and Jack Doyle adding late scores to seal the win.

Meanwhile Dublin’s minor hurlers came with a storming last quarter to defeat Wexford by three points.

The Slaneysiders started the second half the better and having trailed 0-13 to 1-8 at the interval had moved into a 2-13 to 1-14 lead with 15 minutes remaining, despite Conor Foley hitting a goal for the Dubs immediately on the restart.

Thereafter Wexford got great impact from the second-half subs with Darragh Furlong hitting three points and Josh Shiel grabbing a goal to go two points clear.

However, Dublin showed great mettle to take control with points from Liam Dunne (free) and Dara Purcell, his third of the afternoon, bringing the sides level entering the concluding ten minutes.

Two Dunne frees and an excellent point from Alex O’Neill gave the Dubs a three-point cushion, 1-19 to 2-13, and they continued to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Dunne added another free, after a foul on Luke Swan, and Purcell pointed to make it 1-21 to 2-13 before Dunne converted a ’65’ as the game moved into added time.

The hosts got a late goal but it wasn’t enough to stop Mike Connolly’s men progressing to a Leinster MHC final meeting with Kilkenny, who defeated Offaly in their provincial semi-final.

Dublin led 0-13 to 1-8 at the half-time break after Richie Lawlor had given the Slaneysiders a great fillip with a goal just before the interval.

Wexford made a great start and were 0-4 to 0-0 ahead inside six minutes with freetaker AJ Redmond on the mark on three occasions.

Donal Leavy opened Dublin’s account in the sixth minute and a succession of points from Liam Dunne, three from frees and one from play, had the counties level at 0-5 each after 12 minutes.

Leavy’s second point nosed Dublin in front and point from Dunne and a fine point from Pearce Christie put their side 08 to 0-5 clear by the 18th minute.

Dublin looked to be closing out the half in dominant fashion with points from Dara Purcell, Conor Murray, Conor Foley, Purcell and Darragh Power to lead 0-13 to 0-8 with half-time approaching before the home side struck for goal.

Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship 2018