The Cats set up a Division 1 semi-final against Wexford or Galway.

Kilkenny took the honours in this pulsating NHL 1A clash in sunny Nowlan Park today, with 10,587 in attendance as the Cats stole the win with a late Richie Leahy point.

Cork 1-24 Kilkenny 0-24: New season, new stadium, new manager: Cork collected their first NHL points on Saturday night, in their first competitive game in the redeveloped Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Kilkenny 0-23 Dublin 1-14: Kilkenny were too smooth for Dublin yesterday at home, running out victors by six points in a curious Division 1A contest.

A substitute was the hero for the winning side.

Kilkenny 0-17 NUI Galway 0-15

Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-17 O’Loughlin Gaels 2-10

JAMES STEPHENS collected the Kilkenny SHC title at a damp Nowlan Park yesterday, where 8,742 spectators saw an entertaining replay after last week’s draw disputed by two fully committed sides – sometimes too committed, as evidenced by the second-half sendings off of Jackie Tyrrell, captain of the new champions, and Ballyhale’s Colin Fennelly.

ALL SQUARE at Nowlan Park yesterday, with 6,974 spectators seeing favourites Ballyhale Shamrocks level the Kilkenny SHC final deep in injury-time, depriving underdogs James Stephens a famous victory.

BALLYHALE Shamrocks qualified for the Kilkenny SHC final yesterday with a hugely impressive win over last year’s champions O’Loughlin Gaels.

WATERFORD secured local bragging rights, and a Croke Park date with Dublin, after defeating Kilkenny in this All-Ireland MHC quarter-final Walsh Park on Saturday evening.

THE sons of famous fathers were very to the fore as St Kieran’s College captured the Leinster SAHC title in Nowlan Park yesterday.

MUNSTER’S travel jinx struck again yesterday when the team had to endure a five hour delay en-route to Wales for a Celtic League game with Celtic Warriors this evening.

ULSTER apart, these are vital weeks for the Irish provinces in the Celtic League.

I T’S A big evening in the fledgling Celtic Cup with the four Irish provinces all in action.