Kilkenny 1-17 Laois 0-16:Kilkenny were given a real fright by Laois in the second semi-final. When Joseph Phelan pointed for Laois with six minutes remaining, just a point separated the sides. But four points in succession, including two superb scores by Mark Bergin and Michael Fagan, secured Kilkenny's victory.
For a long while Michael Murphy's fortunate, deflected, 21st-minute goal separated the sides. Murphy struck after four consecutive points from John O'Loughlin, Andrew Collier and a Dwayne Peacock brace had edged Laois two points clear. Kilkenny led by a point, 1-7 to 0-9, at the interval and after the break three Bergin points helped them keep their noses in front.
KILKENNY: C McGrath; C Fogarty, K Mooney, E Malone; J Fitzpatrick, P Murphy, D Langton; PJ Rowe, M Fagan (0-2); C Fennelly, M Murphy (1-1), A Stapleton (0-2); S Brennan (0-2), M Bergin (0-7, five frees), D Walton. Subs: C McQuillan for Rowe (26 mins); T Breen (0-1) for Walton (44 mins); J Nolan (0-1) for Fennelly (47 mins); J Brennan (0-1) for Stapleton (55 mins); S Waugh for S Brennan (70 mins).
LAOIS: E Reilly; J Corrigan, B Galvin, M Burke; D Dooley, T Burke (0-2 (frees), A Kavanagh; J O'Loughlin (0-2), J Gaughan (0-2); G Brophy (0-1), A Collier (0-1, free), G Lanham; N Foyle (0-1), T Delaney, D Peacock 0-5 (three frees, one sideline). Subs: B Glynn for Corrigan (15 mins); D O'Mahoney (0-1) for Brophy (half-time); J Phelan (0-1) for Collier (47 mins); W Delaney for Kavanagh (58 mins).
Referee: F Devereaux (Kildare).
