Leinster ruled Connacht by four points in an entertaining interprovincial semi-final played in testing conditions at Kiltoom. Kilkenny men were very much to the fore for John Conran's side, with Richie Hogan delivering a decisive haul of seven points, while his namesake Richie Power chipped in with a useful 1-2. Their intercounty colleague Tommy Walsh gave an impressive showing in the centre of the park, demonstrating his All Star talents to stunning effect. And Carlow wing back Eddie Coady also made a name for himself when popping up with a crucial goal in the 56th minute. Westmeath's Brendan Murtagh joined Cats duo Power and Hogan on the scoresheet early on, but a brace of Niall Healy frees had the westerners level at 0-3 each on ten minutes. Connacht went on to build a 1-6 to 1-4 half-time advantage, with full forward Joe Gantley striking the goal on 22 minutes. Three minutes earlier, Power had netted a close-range free for the winners, but the hosts finished the half strongly with 1-3 in unanswered scores. It was now Leinster's turn to land four successive scores before Richie Murray and Healy levelled the scoring. Points from Hogan and substitute Tierney had the teams on level terms for the fifth time with ten minutes remaining. Four minutes from the end, Carlow's Edward Coady stepped up to the plate with the winning goal. Leinster: PJ Ryan; B Campion, J Dalton, D Franks; E Coady (1-0), R Fallon, D Horan; T Walsh, R Hanniffy; W Dwyer, B Murtagh (0-2), M Rice; B Carroll, R Power (1-2), R Hogan (0-7. Subs: J Bergin, T Fitzgerald, D Crimmins. Connacht: C Callanan; A Leech, J Lee, P Holland; M Ryan, S Kavanagh, C O'Donovan; T Óg Regan, F Healy; R Murray (0-1), K Hynes (0-1), A Cullinane; K Burke (0-1), J Gantley (1-0), N Healy (0-5). Subs: D Tierney (0-2), B Mahony, J Greene, C Kavanagh, B Hanley. Tweet

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