FIRST-HALF GOALS by Chris Bennett and Con O’Callaghan helped Dublin claim an 11-point win over Kilkenny in the Leinster MHC at Nowlan Park today.
Bennett and O’Callaghan were on the mark in the opening half as Pat Fanning’s lads opened up a 2-3 to 0-1 advantage by the interval.
Kilkenny tried to muster a challenge on the restart but were met by a strong Dublin defence. Dublin were in front by 2-4 to 0-2 entering the final quarter against a Kilkenny team that contained six St Kieran’s All-Ireland college winners.
Dublin closed out the game in style with points from Ryan McBride, O’Callaghan and Matthew Oliver (2) helping them to an impressive victory by 2-8 to 0-3.
Laois also reached the semi-final stage with a 0-26 to 3-14 win over Offaly today. Early goals from Cillian Kiely and Jordan Fogarty helped Offaly into a 2-5 to 0-4 lead.
Laois hit back to trail by 2-12 to 0-13 at the interval before then Eoin Cahill struck Offaly’s third goal as they went ahead by 3-12 to 0-16. But Laois finished strongly to triumph with Mark Kavanagh their scoring star.
Elsewhere a goal from Niall Hughes helped Wexford defeat Meath by 1-18 to 2-10 in Navan while Carlow were 1-22 to 3-12 victors against Kildare.
Wexford now take on Offaly at the quarter-final stage on May 10th while Kilkenny will meet Carlow on the same day.
Results – Leinster MHC
Dublin 2-8 Kilkenny 0-3
Laois 0-26 Offaly 3-14
Wexford 1-18 Meath 2-10
Carlow 1-22 Kildare 3-12