Presentation College Athenry overcome St Kieran's College to book All-Ireland Final place - Kilkenny Live

This year's Croke Cup final will be the first decider not to feature St Kieran’s College since 2013, after Presentation College, Athenry ended the Kilkenny school's hopes in emphatic fashion at the semi-final stage in Bansha on Saturday afternoon.

The Connacht champions will meet Thurles CBS on St Patrick’s Day in Croke Park, following the Harty Cup champions’ 0-21 to 0-17 win over Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in Banagher.

The match was nip and tuck in the first quarter with very little between them. A sublime Ed Lauhoff score from the right sideline was amongst the highlights for the 2024 All-Ireland champions to leave the teams deadlocked after ten minutes.

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Presentation began to use their strength in the middle third and the power of Darragh Counihan and Galway senior panellist Seán Murphy down the spine of the defence to lead 0-9 to 0-6 going into first half stoppage time, and that lead was doubled when Ethan O’Brien had a shot for a point blocked, and the Turloughmore club man followed up to scoop up the rebound and fire a low shot to the corner of the St. Kieran’s net from 15 metres out.

That was still the margin 12 minutes into the second half when Counihan cleared a ball, Jason Rabbite drove at the St Kieran’s defence and his ball across was met by Oscar Fitzpatrick, who looped a shot over the goalkeeper into the net.

Aaron Niland returned to the action and he set up a goal for Leen while Rabbite turned provider for Eoin Hannon to also raise a green flag for the Galway side, who always had a bit to spare.

See People Sport for full match report

STARTING TEAMS:

St Kieran's College - Luke Lawlor (Clara); Conor Brophy (Erin's Own), David Barcoe (Clara), Evan Murphy (Dicksboro); Sam Hayes (Danesfort), Mikey Rohan (Carrickshock), Louis Ragget (Dicksboro); Sean Deeley (James Stephens), Bill MCDermott (James Stephens); Noah Manogue (James Stephens), Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Diarmuid Beehan (James Stephens); Ruarc Sweeney (O'Loughlin Gaels), John Fitzpatrick (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Ruairi Murphy (Mount Leinster Rangers).

Presentation College Athenry - Chris Callanan; Lucas Keane, Sean Murphy, Aodhan McDonagh; Oscar Fitzpatrick, Darragh Counihan, Michael Fallon; Robert Burke, Ronan Murphy; Cian Hannon, Jason Rabitte, Ethan O'Brien; Eoin Hannon, Ciaran Leen, Frank Burke.

Referee - Simon Stokes (Cork)