Slick Cats crush Offaly

SLICK Kilkenny demolished Offaly by 12 points in yesterday’s ESB Leinster MHC semi-final at O’Connor Park, Tullamore. The ‘Cats’, managed by Richie Mulrooney, face Dublin in the final next Sunday at Croke Park.

The opening quarter aside, Kilkenny were vastly superior and after 27 minutes they enjoyed a 1-10 to 0-5 cushion. Skilful full-forward Ger Alyward blasted home their goal in the 18th minute and he quickly followed up with a brace of points.

Offaly ended the opening half with a pep in their step and they dispatched four an unanswered points courtesy of Alan Kelly, Brendan Murphy (free), Adrian Hynes and Stephen Quirke to give themselves a fighting chance.