LEINSTER U-21HC FINAL - Kilkenny2-21 Offaly 2-09:KILKENNY produced a runaway 12-points victory over Offaly in the provincal final in Tullamore yesterday evening.
Even that 2-21 to 2-9 final score did not flatter the visitors in the least, for Joe Bergin's second goal came in injury-time and was of little more than statistical value, while Kilkenny could also enjoy the luxury of shooting 12 wides.
The opening half was one of fluctuating fortunes, with the sides deadlocked six times. The vital score of that period was Bergin's 25th-minute penalty, awarded for a foul on Colm Coughlan. That looked like setting the scene for a hectic second half.
Such was far from being the case, however, for with the wind now favouring Kilkenny they took almost complete control.
By the three-quarter stage they had their 26th provincial title in safe keeping.
Kilkenny did not get complacent as they continued to bombard a suspect home defence, their second goal, netted by TJ Reid, signalled for a mass exodus of home supporters in the estimated attendance of 9,000.
The visitor's superiority stemmed from a magnificent half-back line of Neal Prendergast, Paddy Hogan and Lester Ryan which contained their opposite numbers to a single point, by Derek Molloy.
In contrast Kilkenny's outer line of attack of Colin Fennelly, Nicky Cleere and Reid helped themselves to an aggregate of 2-7.
KILKENNY:C McGrath; P Murphy, K Joyce, E O'Shea; N Prendergast, P Hogan (0-2, one free), L Ryan (0-1); J Dowling, N Walsh (0-1); C Fennnelly (0-3), N Cleere (1-1), TJ Reid (1-3); M Ruth (0-1), J Mulhall (0-2), R Hogan (0-6, four frees). Subs: J Maher (0-1) for Ruth (52 mins), JJ Farrell for Reid (55 mins).
OFFALY:J Dempsey; C Hernon, B Watkins, S Wynne; G Treacy, B Leonard, D Morkan (0-1); D Horan (0-2, two frees), C Mahon; D Currams, C Egan, D Molloy (0-1); C Coughlan (0-4, two frees), J Bergin (2-1, 1-0 pen), F Kerrigan. Subs: J Gorman for Mahon (36 mns), P Bermingham for Egan (37 mins), D Molloy for Kerrigan (37 mins), C Flannery for Leonard (56 mins), E Murphy for Treacy (58 mins).
Referee:A Stapleton (Laois)
