Kilkenny Under-19s continue winning ways against Offaly

Kilkenny followed up previous victories against Dublin and Wexford as they sealed their place in the final of the newly formed Under 19 Hurling Development League.

Managed by Shamrocks clubman Mark Aylward (Inset), Kilkenny once again looked at a huge array of players and while victory is just a bonus, it was still welcoming to see the Cats claim a second away win of the campaign.

The Cats travelled to the polished Offaly Centre of Excellence at Kilcormac in buoyant mood but Offaly played much of the better hurling in the opening half and count themseleves somewhat unlucky to have went into the break trailing.

Kilkenny had started the better with Ed Lauhoff and Mikey Stynes who have been two of the brighter prospects over the last few weeks grabbing the opening two points.

Offaly then grew into the contest and helped by a bit of Kilkenny indiscipline, Daniel Hand knocked over four frees on the bounce for the Faithful County.

Lauhoff, James O'Neill and Colm Treacy then added their names to the scoresheet for KIlkenny but with Offaly replying in kind, the home side still led 0-9 to 0-5.

Kilkenny finished the half in great style though with Jack Campion bagging a goal before Treacy and Stynes combined for the next three points and the game had a very different look about it all of a sudden.

As is the norm at this grade, there was a huge number of substitutions in the second half and the flow of the game was interrupted a little but Kilkenny kept playing their hurling and before the end they got two more goals with James O’Neill and Ciallin Brennan both finding the net for the winners.

Sean Hamilton and Anthony Ireland Wall were others to knock over points before the end as Kilkenny won out on a 3-15 to 0-13 scoreline in the end.

The win entitles Kilkenny to a home final in a few weeks and more importantly another game to show off their talents.

Kilkenny- Cian Kelly (Clara); Noah Manogue (James Stephens), Darragh Vereker (Glenmore), Conor Brophy (Erin’s Own); Liam Hogan (Mooncoin), Rory Garrett (Fenians), Sean Deely (James Stephens); Michael Keane (St Martin’s), Rory Connellan (Thomastown); Sean Hamilton (Graignamanagh), Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Mikey Stynes (Dicksboro); James O’Neill (St Martin’s, Jack Campion (Bennettsbridge), Colm Treacy (Thomastown).

Subs: Billy O’Sullivan (James Stephens), Oisin Bateman (James Stephens), Anthon Ireland Wall (Danesfort), Michael Ahern (Emeralds), Jamie Lyng (Tullogher Rosbercon), Sean Hunt (St Martin’s), Ciallin Brennan (Tullaroan), Tomas Roche (John Lockes), Jerry Henderson (Fenians).

Offaly- Cillian Spain; Gearoid Maher, Paddy Dooley, Harry Sweeney; Marc Ryan, AJ Cleary, Liam Flynn; Marc Mulrooney, Daniel Hand; Shane Connolly, Cathal Robinson, Aaron Molloy; Darragh Scully, James Liffey, Ronan Flynn.

Subs: Eoin Neville, Conor McDowell, Luke Bowe, Jack Ryan, Patrick Lyons, Dylan Hollywood, Conor Taylor.