ALL-IRELAND COLLEGES SHC A SEMI-FINALS/Kilkenny CBS 3-15 Portumna CS 1-8:KILKENNY CBS put their Leinster final heartbreak behind them to score a 13-point victory over Portumna Community School in Saturday's semi-final at the Ragg.

Kilkenny lost out narrowly to neighbours St Kieran’s in the provincial decider but now have the chance to claim a first Croke Cup success since 1981 when they face Nenagh CBS at Semple Stadium on March 31st. Portumna cut a nine-point deficit back to five in the second half but were undone in the closing minutes and corner back Seán Neylon was sent off.

KILKENNY CBS: D Holohan; S Cassin, E Cody, C McGrath; N Mullins, O McGrath, R Fitzpatrick; D Sheehan (0-1), J Langton; K Kenny (2-1), M Clifford (1-1), E Fennelly; S Cuddihy, C Doyle (0-9, seven frees), P Campion (0-1). Subs: D Bolger (0-1) for Cuddihy (42 mins), P Delahunty (0-1) for Campion (44 mins), R Buckley for Fennelly (53 mins), L Scanlon for Clifford (57 mins), JP Treacy for Sheehan (58 mins).

PORTUMNA CS: M Fahy; S Neylon, P Muldoon, S Tuohy; C Kelly, P Killeen (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free), O Royston; J Starr (0-2), C Barry; D Daly (0-1), O Treacy, C Burke; N Maloney, A Hogan, R O’Meara (0-2, one free). Subs: J Downey for Hogan (25 mins), L Fahy for Maloney (38 mins).

Referee: F Horgan (Tipperary).