The Kilkenny intermediate hurlers joined their senior and minor counterparts in the All-Ireland final following an emphatic semi-final win over Galway at O'Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

Kilkenny 0-24
Galway 0-10

St. Lachtain's clubman Eoin Guinan played a captain's part for the Cats, accounting for 0-11 of his side's total, including 0-7 from play.

Galway competed well in the early stages and were level with the Leinster champions on 0-4 apiece after 17 minutes. However, Kilkenny began to get on top in the half back line and midfield in the lead-up to half-time and this enabled them to take a 0-10 to 0-6 lead into the break.

A pointed free from Galway captain Brian Murphy left a goal between the sides on the restart, but Kilkenny responded with five quick points in succession from Eoin Guinan, Niall Walsh, Bill Beckett (two) and Nicky Cleere to open up a 0-15 to 0-8 advantage.

Such was Kilkenny's dominance at this stage that their manager Pat Hoban was able to take the opportunity to look at a number of his subs ahead of the All-Ireland final against Munster champions Cork at a venue yet to be confirmed in a fortnight's time.

Kilkenny - L Tierney; M Phelan, P Murphy, K Mooney; R Cody, P Hogan (0-2, 2f), N Doherty (0-1); P Hartley (0-1), N Walsh (0-1); B Beckett (0-4), R Dollard (0-2), N Cleere (0-2); M Grace, P Cleere, E Guinan (0-11, 4f). Subs: A Healy for P Cleere (38), J Cotterell for R Cody (47), B Lennon for N Cleere (49), N Doherty for M Grace (51), I Duggan for M Phelan (53).

Galway - N Murray; K Hardiman, B Lohan, P Shiel; C Coen, E Duane, P Burke; J Gilsen, D Africano; M Coughlan (0-1), G McInerney (0-1), B Murphy (0-6, 4f, 1 '65'); S Lambert, G Sheedy, M Dolan. Subs: R O'Brien for K Hardiman (inj, 15), A Carey (0-1) for G Sheedy (h/t), J Regan (0-1) for Africano (37), D Geraghty for M Dolan (42), R Madden for M Coughlan (49).

Ref: D O'Driscoll (Limerick) Tweet

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