Newly-crowned Kilkenny champions O'Loughlin Gaels showed no mercy to Rathdwney-Errill when they powered to an 11-point victory in yesterday's AIB Leinster club SHC quarter-final at O'Moore Park.

O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) 3-16
Rathdowney-Errill (Laois) 0-14

The writing was on the wall for the home side after just 20 seconds when Niall McEvoy set up Danny Loughnane for the opening goal. Martin Comerford then added a brace of points before John Purcell replied with a brace for the home side. But with Mark Bergin in fine scoring form, the Gaels went on to dominate the rest of the half and a second goal from Brian Dowling in the 20th minute helped them to a commanding 2-10 to 0-6 lead at the break.

When Alan Geoghegan pointed three minutes after the restart, it meant that all of the visitors' forwards had scored from play, and while Alan Delaney responded for Rathdowney, their fate was sealed when Bergin bagged the Gaels' third goal and Delaney then received his marching orders after receiving a second yellow card.

The impressive Purcell took Kilkenny centre back Brian Hogan for seven points from play, but it mattered little as O'Loughlins breezed through to a semi-final date with Dublin champions Ballyboden St. Enda's. Tweet

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