LEINSTER UNDER-21 HC SEMI-FINAL Kilkenny 1-20 Dublin 1-11THIS IS how hurling empires react to upstart revolts situated just inside the provincial borderline. Dublin, the defending Leinster champions, were ruthlessly crushed in their own house last night.
Kilkenny zipped around the sliotar like wasps, while Dublin seemed to float, ensuring a pace variation that made the hosts look decidedly average.
Excuses? Eight Dublin players were involved in last Sunday's senior semi-final defeat to Wexford. There was no redemption to be gained here. Maybe they were still feeling the effects of that battle but the abiding impression is they were outclassed.
And not just by the brilliance of Richie Hogan, of which there was plenty, as Kilkenny's superiority was evident in most departments.
Beating Kilkenny at any level these days is cause for celebration. For sure, Dublin still lack the strength to trouble Brian Cody's Cats but they are expected to match any county at underage.
A good half hour before the match, and only then, Dublin had the cut of a serious outfit, flying through the cones as the opposition, many still wearing jeans and T-shirts, shuffled off the coach and had a puck-around.
Maybe we should have got close enough to see the whites of their eyes because within 10 seconds of the throw-in Kilkenny exuded superiority, as Colin Fennelly waltzed through the middle for a point. Nicky Cleere almost added a goal moments later but no matter because the Hogan brothers took over. They are first cousins of DJ Carey, you know.
Paddy Hogan posted a free from miles out to tee up the next five minutes for Richie Hogan. Those who have seen Richie at minor or with the club in Danesfort will not be surprised by a 70-metre point with his back to the uprights.
The goal was straight-forward but the pace of its creation and finish was jaw-dropping. James Dowling picked off another poor clearance and found TJ Reid, who set Hogan off in a straight sprint with Tomás Brady and Peter Kelly. He accelerated clear like DJ used to before finishing from a difficult enough angle.
Hogan had 1-5 by the break (1-10 at the finish) and Kilkenny were up by 10. Fennelly was also making hay with three neat points but ominously Reid had yet to open his account. Surprisingly, and luckily for Dublin, he never awoke from his slumber.
Dublin free-taker Kevin O'Reilly could hardly be blamed for going for goal with a first-half injury-time free. It was saved. He earned it after quick ball was delivered to him 15 yards out. He turned to face six swarming defenders.
The second half was a dead rubber with Declan O'Dwyer bouncing the ball into the Kilkenny goal near the finish but that merely brought matters back to the established 10-point deficit.
The disgusted, head-shaking body language of Peter Kelly and Simon Lambert, both senior panellists, as they were pulled ashore spoke volumes about what had just transpired.
Kilkenny move into a final with Offaly on July 16th.
KILKENNY:C McGrath; P Murphy, K Joyce, E O'Shea; N Prendergast, P Hogan (0-1, free), L Ryan; J Dowling, N Walsh (0-1); C Fennelly (0-3), TJ Reid, J Mulhall (0-1); M Ruth (0-1), N Cleere (0-3), R Hogan (1-10, five frees, one 65). Subs: JJ Farrell for J Mulhall (50 mins), M Bergin for M Ruth (53 mins).
DUBLIN:F McGarry; P Schutte, T Brady, R Drumgoole; O Gough, J Boland, P Kelly; S Lambert, J McCaffrey; P Garbutt, R O'Carroll (0-2), J Maher; P Ryan (0-2), D O'Dwyer (1-0), K O'Reilly (0-5, five frees). Subs: S Durkin (0-2) for J Maher, D Treacy for P Garbutt (both half-time), C McBride for S Lambert (40 mins), R O'Carroll for P Kelly (48 mins).
Referee:J Owens (Wexford).
