Leinster MHC Kilkenny and Carlow qualified for the 2006 Leinster minor hurling championship final, following semi-final victories over Dublin and Offaly respectively. The Cats reversed last year's shock result when they defeated the Dubs by 2-14 to 0-8. Another shock looked possible until the Black & Amber struck 1-10 late on, including a goal from Colin Fennelly. Meanwhile, the Barrowsiders continued their remarkable hurling renaissance with a dramatic 2-15 to 0-16 defeat of Offaly at Portlaoise. The winners led by 0-10 to 0-9 at the interval but trailed by a point at the end of normal time. However, two late, late goals from full forward Paudie Kehoe fired the Carlow lads through to the provincial decider. The final was played at Croke Park on Sunday July 2 with Kilkenny romping home by 4-22 to 1-5 as the Barrowsiders froze on the big day. Richie Hogan bagged 2-10 for the Cats with Jonjo Farrell grabbing Carlow's goal. Leinster MFC The semi-finals took place on Wednesday 5th July with Offaly reaching their second successive final with a 2-5 to 0-10 win over Dublin. The Faithfuls will meet Meath in the decider after the Royals scored a late goal to see off Laois, 1-9 to 0-11. Munster MHC The 2006 ESB Munster minor hurling championship final took place at Semple Stadium on Sunday June 25. As was the case in the senior decider that followed on the Thurles provincial final day bill, Cork and Tipperary did battle. The result was also the same, with the Rebels prevailing by 2-20 to 1-15 to claim a third consecutive Munster minor title. Tipp led by 1-9 to 0-9 at the break thanks to Tony Dunne's eleventh-minute goal but Cork manager Ger Fitzgerald made some switches at half time and the Rebels were transformed thereafter. Points from Brian Corry, Patrick Horgan (who finished the match with eight points to his credit), Dan O'Callaghan and Donagh Stack brought the Rebels back into contention before Colm O'Neill burst through the Tipp defence to crash home a goal in the 46th minute. A second goal from Robert White in the 53rd minute put the match out of the Premier County's reach. Ulster MHC Up North, Antrim easily won this year's ESB Ulster minor hurling championship. The Saffrons breezed through to the decider, wherein they hammered Derry by 8-18 to 2-5 at Casement Park on Sunday June 4. The winners were a class apart in all aspects of their play and Derry were never able to live with their superior opponents on the day. Conor McGourty was one of the chief heroes for the Glensmen, bagging 4-3 from open play and two more points from frees. Antrim had goals from Peter Dallat and Gourty inside the first four minutes and another from Carlin Coyle on 27 to lead by 3-7 to 0-4 at the break. Patrick Henry did most of the scoring for the overwhelmed Foylesiders. Ulster MFC Antrim's amazing run continued when they qualified for the provincial final with a magnificent 2-8 to 2-7 semi-final victory over defending champions Armagh in Clones on Sunday June 11. In the Ulster MFC final, the Saffrons will face Donegal, who enjoyed a 0-11 to 1-5 semi-final win against Tyrone a week later. Substitute Dualtach Molloy was the Donegal hero, chipping in with four points. Antrim haven't won an Ulster minor football championship since 1982 and will have their work cut out against a fancied Donegal side. The final will be staged at Croke Park on Sunday July 9, with a 12.45 throw-in and Donegal are sure to have plenty of support as they are also on the senior bill that day. Connacht MFC Roscommon produced a stellar display to beat Galway by 1-10 to 0-9 in a cracking semi-final at Dr Hyde Park. The Primrose & Blue will meet Mayo on provincial final day. The Mayo lads recorded an excellent 2-14 to 2-7 victory over Leitrim at Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday June 25. Mayo captain Pierce Hanley produced a man-of-the-match performance in that game, raising the white flag eight times. Michael Sweeney and Liam Lydon got the goals that gave the winners a comfortable 2-9 to 1-6 interval lead. Tweet

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