City rivals Dicksboro and James Stephens will contest the Kilkenny SHC final in two weeks' time after they recorded surprise victories over holders O'Loughlin Gaels and Ballyhale Shamrocks respectively at Nowlan Park yesterday.

Martin Gaffney's fourth-minute goal proved decisive as Dicksboro dethroned O'Loughlin's on a 1-14 to 0-14 scoreline. The winners went on to lead by 1-9 to 0-8 at half-time and they managed to keep O'Loughlin's at arm's length after the restart, with goalkeeper Darragh Holohan producing a superb save from Sean Bolger to repel the champions' comeback.

In the other semi-final, James Stephens produced a stunning second half display to run out impressive 3-16 to 1-12 winners over a fancied Ballyhale.

A Colin Fennelly goal inside the opening minute helped Ballyhale to a 1-8 to 0-5 interval lead, but they were outscored by 0-4 to 3-11 in the second half. Eoin Larkin's 35th minute goal lit the touchpaper for a brilliant half of hurling from 'The Village' which saw Tadhg Dwyer also score a brace of goals in the space of three minutes as they qualified for their first final in six years.

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