Lisdowney book spot in Leinster Intermediate Semi-Final - Kilkenny People Sport

Lisdowney secured passage through to their first ever Leinster Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday beating Clodiagh Gaels in comprehensive fashion.

A sturdy Lisdowney defence and influencial bench were key to the winning of the game for the intermediate county champions.

Substitute Eoin Kenny stuck up a hand for a starting place the next day scoring 2-2 in just 15 minutes of hurling. His brace of goals along with a netted finish from Brian Kavanagh in the second half put any slight doubts for the North Kilkenny team to bed.

The Offaly outfit, who have been runners-up in the county's Senior 'B' competition for the past two years struggled to stay the course with Lisdowney for much of the contest, but did have purple patches in both halves to give their supporters hope for the next campaign.

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A brace of points from Eoin Dunne in the ninth and tenth minutes left two between them (0-5 to 0-3) in favour of the Kilkenny champions, but Lisdowney soon put a slow start behind them as Niall Brennan from play and Brian Kavanagh from frees led by example from play and on the scoreboard leaving the scoreline at 0-12 to 0-4 at half-time.

Liam Langton was the star men for the visitors (0-6, 0-5 f) and was the catalyst to a promising period in the early stages of the second half which saw them keep Lisdowney scoreless for seven minutes (35-42 minutes).

However, the match was put beyond all doubt in the final 15 minutes, as Trevor Fletcher's men outscored Clodiagh Gaels 3-6 to 1-0 with a late Pat Lyons goal offering mere consolation on a day where Lisdowney deserved their win.

See People Sport on Wednesday for full report

Lisdowney - Aidan Tallis; Sean Phelan, Ben Tallis, Lar Campion; Michael Kenny (C), Eoin Walsh, Dylan Jordan; Alan Dunphy, Niall Brennan; Richard McEvoy, Pat O'Carroll, Liam Dunphy; Luke Holohan, Eibhean McEvoy, Brian Kavanagh. Subs: Andrew McEvoy for E McEvoy (half-time); Vinny Fitzpatrick for P O Carroll (40 mins); Eoin Kenny for L Holohan, Martin McEvoy for S Phelan (46 mins); Charlie Brennan for D Jordan (56 mins).

Clodiagh Gaels - Kevin Kinahan; Dylan Hyland, Mark Kelly, Aaron Flanagan; Joey Keenaghan, Clint Horan (C), Diarmaid Walsh; Eoin Dunne, Sean Brady; Ruari Dunne, Liam Langton, Ben O'Brien; Cathal Brady, Pat Lyons, Conor Langton. Subs: Sean Rattigan for D Walsh (35 mins); Ryan Kinahan for S Brady (48 mins); Diarmuid Barry for C Brady (53 mins); Aaron Rattigan for D Hyland (56 mins); Peter Barry for P Lyons (58 mins).

Lisdowney - Brian Kavanagh (1-5, 0-3 f, 0-1 65); Eoin Kenny (2-2); Niall Brennan (0-5), Michael Kenny, Richard McEvoy, Vinny Fitzpatrick (0-2 each), Aidan Tallis (0-1 f); Eoin Walsh, Liam Dunphy, Luke Holohan, Eibhan McEvoy (0-1 each).

Clodiagh Gaels - Liam Langton (0-6, 0-5 f); Pat Lyons (1-0); Eoin Dunne; Cathal Brady (0-2 each).

Referee - James McGrath (Westmeath)

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