Kilkenny 0-18 Offaly 0-15 Goalkeeper Colin McGrath was Kilkenny's hero in this Bord Gais Leinster U21 HC semi-final at Nowlan Park last night when his late save from Daniel Currams denied Offaly a replay. It was a far from impressive performance by the reigning All-Ireland champions, who were made look average in parts by a determined Offaly side which was managed by former All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Stephen Byrne. Kilkenny came flying out of the starting blocks to lead by 0-6 to 0-1 after 11 minutes thanks to scores from Mark Kelly (two), John Mulhall, Richie Hogan, John Joe Farrell and Colin Fennelly. But Offaly hit back with points from Mark Egan, Brian Leonard and senior player Conor Mahon to trail by 0-8 to 0-10 at half-time. Further scores from Odhran Kealey and Mahon brought the visitors level in the 32nd minute, but crucially, they could never get their noses in front and after the sides were level on two more occasions, senior star Richie Hogan put the Cats back in front. The Danesfort man, who missed the first round win over Laois through injury, tapped over two more points in the 47th and 51st minutes, and with additions from James Nolan and Farrell, they edged 0-17 to 0-13 clear. Offaly responded with points from Kealey and James Gorman to leave three in it before 'keeper McGrath came to Kilkenny's rescue with his crucial stop from Faithful senior star Currams in the dying moments. Kilkenny - C McGrath; P Murphy, A Kearns, C Fogarty; Lester Ryan, D Langton, J Dowling; M, Kelly (0-3), M Walsh (0-1); C Fennelly (0-2), J Farrell (0-2), J Mulhall (0-3); M Bergin, R Hogan (0-6, 3f, 1 '65), Liam Ryan. Subs - J Nolan (0-1) for Liam Ryan (41), P Nolan for Dowling (43). Offaly - J Dempsey; B Harding, S Wynne, B Coughlan; D Morkan, E Murphy, K Mollen; C Mahon (0-3), D Mooney; J Mulrooney, D Currams (0-3, 2f), M Egan (0-2, 2f); J Gorman (0-3), B Leonard (0-1), O Kealey (0-3). Subs: C Egan for Egan (24), G Scales for Mulrooney (42). Ref - F Smith (Meath). Tweet

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