Bennettsbridge are through to this year's All-Ireland Club IHC final courtesy of a 0-15 to 0-8 semi-final victory over Clare champions Wolfe Tones in Banagher today.

A strong third quarter showing laid the foundations for the Kilkenny side's victory.

They enjoyed an 0-8 to 0-6 advantage at the break and, with Nicky Cleere prominent from placed balls, they raced into a 0-12 to 0-6 lead by the three quarter hour mark.

It was captain Aaron Cunningham who eventually opened the Shannon outfit's second-half account but they had left themselves with too big a mountain to climb.

Bennettsbridge will now take on the winners of tomorrow's second semi-final between Abbeyknockmoy and Creggan Kickhams in the national decider which will be played at Croke Park on Sunday, February 7.

Bennettsbridge - E Cleere; J Moran, R Lennon, C Wafer; J Cleere, E Morrissey, A Cleere; D Wafer (0-1), K Blanchfield; H O'Neill (0-3), N Cleere (0-7, 5f, 1'65), B Lannon (0-1); S Morrissey (0-2), L Blanchfield, M Shiel. Subs: W Murphy (0-1) for W Shiel, S Wemyss for S Morrissey.

Wolfe Tones - P Hogan; D McCarthy, J Roughan, D O'Rourke; B O'Connell, B McPhillips, B Loughnane; B O'Gorman (0-1f), J Guilfoyle; A Cunningham (0-2), G O'Connell, J Cunningham; K McCafferty, Aaron Shanagher (0-5f), D O'Connell. Subs: R Hayes for J Roughan, D Devanney for J Guilfoyle, Andy Shanagher for J Cunningham.

Referee - J O'Brien.

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