Kilkenny U21s thrash Antrim in semi

Kilkenny 6-33 Antrim 1-8

Defending champions Kilkenny powered through to next month's Erin All-Ireland Under-21 hurling final with a 40-point thrashing of Antrim in Navan this evening.

Adrian Finan's side are the Cats' final hope of All-Ireland glory in 2005, but following last month's Leinster win and today's 6-33 to 1-8 hammering of the Saffrons, they have every chance of reclaiming their U-21 title against Galway on September 18.

Kilkenny arrived in Pairc Tailteann with seven senior players in tow - John Tennyson, Eoin Larkin, Richie Power, Willie O’Dwyer, James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, Michael Rice and Stephen Maher - and three of them goaled in the early stages to fire them into a 3-16 to 0-5 half-time lead.

Larkin, Power, who rattled in 1-7 before being substituted six minutes into the second half, and O'Dwyer all found Dominic Kerins' net in the opening quarter.

Saffrons 'keeper Kerins put in a determined display, saving countless goal attempts in the second half, and was faultless as Eoin Reid, and subs TJ Reid and Eamonn O'Gorman, who was back from a thumb injury, grabbed further Kilkenny goals.

Alistair McDonnell deservedly raised a green flag for Antrim in injury-time, but the gulf between the sides was immense.