Kilkenny 4-24
Laois 1-13

Ger Aylward and John Power scored 4-6 between them as Kilkenny claimed their 23rd Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21HC title with a 20-point demolition of Laois at O'Moore Park last night.

The pain of the senior team's surprise capitulation to Galway last Sunday was forgotten about for an hour at least as the young Cats put on an impressive show against a Laois team seeking their first title in 29 years. Aylward had the ball in the back of the net after only three minutes and when he added a point a minute later, Kilkenny were already 1-4 to 0-0 to the good.

Richie Mulrooney's men had extended their lead to six before Power grabbed the first of his goals in the 11th minute. With all six forwards scoring from play, the Cats continued to run riot and Power's second goal in the 22nd minute helped them to a 3-14 to 0-6 interval lead.

Laois enjoyed their best spell just after half-time when Neil Foyle's 39th minute goal gave them a glimmer of hope. But Kilkenny hit back with four unanswered points to regain control. Aylward rammed home goal number four with seven minutes remaining before Laois' misery was completed by the dismissal of Packie Flynn on a second yellow card.

Next up for the Cats is an All-Ireland semi-final against holders Galway, and what a game that should prove to be.

Kilkenny: D Walsh; J Corcoran, W Phelan, B Kennedy; L Harney, R Doyle, J Lyng; G Brennan (0-1), O Walsh; K Kelly (0-6, five frees), P Walsh (0-6), C Buckley (0-2); W Walsh (0-2), J Power (2-1), G Aylward (2-5). Subs: O McGrath for Harney (44 mins), M Gaffney (0-1) for O Walsh (44 mins), C Kenny for Buckley (49 mins), E Jones for W Walsh (58 mins).

Laois: E Fleming; P Flynn, G Burke, A Phelan; J Fitzpatrick, B Duggan, N Unwin; D Freeman, B Dunne; W Dunphy (0-1), P Lawlor, S Maher (0-7, five frees); B Reddin, N Foyle (1-1, 1-0 free), D King (0-4). Subs: J Ryan for Lawlor (27 mins), C McEvoy for Phelan (31 mins), C O'Dwyer for Unwin (31 mins), R King for Reddin (44 mins), J Finane for Fitzpatrick (50 mins).

Referee: G McGrath (Dublin). Tweet

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