Rangers and St Mullins for Carlow SHC final

Chris Nolan of Mount Leinster Rangers ©INPHO/Evan Treacy

Defending champions Mount Leinster Rangers and record title holders St Mullins will contest the Carlow SHC final after coming through yesterday's semi-finals at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Chris Nolan posted 2-8 as Mount Leinster Rangers survived a scare from Bagenalstown Gaels to win 2-18 to 2-11. Craig Doyle's goal gave the Gaels a 1-7 to 0-7 lead at the break and, after the holders drew level, Jake Doyle restored the underdogs' advantage from a penalty.

But Nolan netted twice in the final quarter to help a relieved Rangers to a flattering seven-point win.

In the other last-four tie, St Mullins avenged their first round loss to Ballinkillen with an emphatic 3-21 to 0-14 victory.

The winners signalled their intent with a Paddy Boland goal in the fifth-minute. Further majors from John Doyle and Boland left them perched on a 3-8 to 0-7 interval lead and there was no way back for Ballinkillen - who relied on Ciaran Whelan for the bulk of their scores - in the second half.