GAA Round-up
Reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny will play Wexford in the Leinster hurling final on July 8th after Brian Cody’s men trounced arch rivals Offaly 3-21 to 0-18 at Croke Park.
Kilkenny were quick off the mark and dominated the first half. Charlie Carter and Henry Shefflin were particularly effective and constantly troubled the Offaly full back line.
Kilkenny had opened a six point lead before Shefflin scored a goal in the 35 minute.Two minutes later Eddie Brennan was quickest to capitalise on a Hubert Rigney fumble and slide the ball under Stephen Byrne in the Offaly goal.
Kilkenny had strolled to a 2-11 to 0-05 lead at half-time.
After the break Offaly made a concerted effort to get back on terms.A series of points from John Troy, Johnny Dooley and Rory Hanniffy gave Offaly a glimmer of hope.
As the game went on, however, Offaly found it increasingly difficult to break an excellent Kilkenny defence.
Late in the game, Charlie Carter turned provider, setting up John Hoyne for the third and final goal of the game.
Mayo won through to a Connacht final meeting with Roscommon after an uninspiring victory over Sligo at McHale Park, Castlebar.
Sligo will rue three missed goal chances in the first half and are now left to pick up their championship aspirations in the All-Ireland qualifying series.
Sligo started well with a Sean Davey goal after two minutes and were 1-04 to 0-2 up after 20 minutes.That lead should have been extended but for a superb save from Mayo goalkeeper Peter Burke to deny Eamonn O’Hara.
Sligo attacker Dessie Sloyane was sent free late in the first half after the Mayo defence were caught ball watching but his goal opportunity drifted just wide.
Mayo then replied with a goal of their own.Corner back Tom Nallen made progress up field and was first to the breaking ball 20 yards from the Sligo goal.He ran through and beat Sligo ‘keeper Peter Walsh.
Sligo were awarded a penalty when Mayo full back Kevin Cahill pulled down Sloyane in the area, however, Paul Taylor put the spot kick wide.Sligo led 1-5 to 1-3 at half-time.
After the break, Mayo manager Pat Holmes introduced free kick specialist Maurice Sheridan who restored stability to the side with five splendid scores.Sheridan leveled the game at 1-8 to 1-8 with a pointed free in the 55th minute.
One minute later first half substitute Kieran McDonald pointed to propel Mayo into the lead for the first time.At this stage Mayo had stepped up to championship level.
The sides exchanged points in a trilling last ten minutes and were level at 1-10 and 1-11 apiece before Mayo pointed again in the 64th minute.That score proved to be the match winning point.