Kilkenny saw off the brave challenge of Offaly at O'Connor Park today to secure their place in this year's Leinster MHC final.

The Conor Kelly captained Cats overturned a two-point half-time deficit to run out 0-24 to 2-13 winners in the first of today's semi-final matches.

Ciaran Teehen's 18^th minute goal boosted the underdogs into a 1-10 to 0-11 lead at the halfway stage but the visitors asserted their authority with three unanswered points straight after the resumption.

The Black and Ambers were five points to the good (0-20 to 1-12) before DJ McLoughlin pounced for the Faithful County's second three pointer in the 50^th minute.

To their credit, the hosts made Kilkenny battle all the way but they just came up short.

Kilkenny's reward is a final date with Dublin who got the better of Wexford by 1-22 to 3-13 in today's second semi-final which was played at Innovate Wexford Park.

The visitors took the spoils after producing a strong finish in which they outscored their hosts by 0-6 to 1-0 in the final 10 minutes.

The team in sky blue had led by 0-13 to 1-8 at the change of ends but a goal from substitute Josh Sheil parachuted the Model County into a two point lead midway through the second-half.

The young Dubs refused to panic, however, and fought back to restore parity by the 50^th minute before going on to close out the deal.

Kilkenny - J Brennan; J Young, P Dempsey, J Harkin; P Moylan, S Staunton, H Walsh; C Kelly (0-12, 10f), C Rudkins; D Maher (0-1), C Brennan (0-5), C Kenny (0-2); E Guilfoyle (0-2), G Murphy (0-1), J Buggy. Subs: C O'Leary for P Moylan, J Doyle (0-1) for J Buggy, C Korff for C Rudkins, K Hogan for G Murphy.

Offaly - S Loughnane; A Brazil, A Flanagan, L Nolan; B Egan, D Maher (0-2), L Egan; E Houlihan, A Walsh; C Kiely (0-6, 4f, 1sl), C Sampson (0-1f), C Donoghue (0-2); C Teehan (1-1), DJ McLoughlin (1-1), D Flanagan. Subs: S Mulrooney for L Nolan, M Dillon for A Walsh, J Screeney for C Donoghue.

Referee - C Mooney.

**

Dublin - J Lambert; F Murphy, E Carney, K Byrne; C Hogan, A O'Neill (0-1), I O'hEithir; D Leavy (0-2), D Power (0-1); C Murray (0-1), P Christie (0-1), C Foley (0-1); L Dunne (0-11, 7f, 2'65), L Swan (1-0), D Purcell (0-4). Subs: S Fenton for C Murray, A O'Toole for P Christie.

Wexford - D Hayes (1-0f); F Roche, R Scallan, N Rowesome; C Brown, D Codd, E Doyle; C Molloy, J Kirwan; O Whitty (0-1), T Murphy (0-1), R Lawlor (1-0); AJ Redmond (0-7, 6f, 1sl), Z Firman (0-1), D Cantwell. Subs: D Furlong (0-3) for O Whitty, J Kehoe for J Kirwan, J Sheil (1-0) for D Cantwell, P O'Connor for C Brown, P Whitty for D Furlong.

Referee - J O'Brien.

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