Leinster U21HC: Dublin dethrone Cats
June 24, 2010
Dublin's Daire Plunkett gets away from Kilkenny's Paul Murphy during the Leinster U21 Hurling semi final at Nowlan Park
Kilkenny 0-12
Dublin caused a major surprise when they powered to a five-point victory over holders Kilkenny in last night's Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21HC semi-final at Nowlan Park.
After hammering Offaly by 29 points in the last round, the Cats were installed as hot favourites to complete a three-in-a-row of provincial successes this year, but Richard Stakelum's Dublin didn't read the script and can now look forward to a final showdown with Wexford in Parnell Park on July 14.
The underdogs dominated from the start, holding the home side scoreless in the opening quarter. With free-taker Shane Stapleton helping himself to 0-4 and Liam Rushe, Peter Kelly and Darren Kelly also on target, the Dubs led by 0-10 to 0-6 at the interval, but they would have been out of sight had they not struck eight wides.
On the restart, the winners doubled their advantage with quick points from Shane Stapleton and David Quinn, and further efforts from Martin Quilty, Daire Plunkett, Rushe and Stapleton had them 0-15 to 0-6 ahead.
Typically, Kilkenny refused to lie down and were given hope when midfielder Paul Murphy hit a brace of scores. But Dublin were not to be denied with Conor Clinton's late point ending the Cats' comeback hopes. Tweet
