Cats purr in Portlaoise

Kilkenny 1-27 Offaly 1-13

The Leinster SHC final on July 1 will be a Kilkenny-Wexford affair after Brian Cody's Cats clawed their way past Offaly today in impressive fashion today.

Kilkenny captain Henry Shefflin shot 0-12 to guide his side into the Croke Park decider and move himself into second place in the hurling championship's all-time top scoring list.

This Portlaoise tie was far from over at half-time as Offaly fought back to trail by only 0-14 to 1-10 at the break. Their free-taker Damien Murray, who collected 1-7 in the first half, bulged the net with an injury-time penalty.

Kilkenny could have had a goal of their own just minutes before Murray's strike, but Offaly goalkeeper Brian Mullins pulled off a brilliant save as he stopped an Aidan Fogarty effort.

However, Cody's All-Ireland champions put in a determined second half display, outscoring the Faithfuls by 1-13 to 0-3 and the day ended on a sour note for Offaly as they had wing forward Derek Molloy sent off for his second bookable offence.

The defeat for Offaly continues the county's bad run of form against the Cats in championship fare - the Faithfuls' 1998 All-Ireland final win over Kilkenny is still their last championship success against the Black and Amber.

Today's win was Kilkenny's seventh consecutive SHC win over Offaly and it looked on the cards after the opening few minutes' play.

Cody's charges moved 0-3 to 0-0 ahead with Martin Comerford (0-2) and Shefflin (free) both on target. Murray's free-taking prowess did help the underdogs get back on terms, but Shefflin landed three placed balls and one score from play to move his side 0-8 to 0-4 clear by the first half's midpoint.

Offaly were not to be deterred though and with Brian Caroll and the Hanniffy brothers, Gary and Rory, all faring well, John McIntyre's side got back within striking range.

A foul on Derek Molloy gave Murray the opportunity to plant his penalty into PJ Ryan's net and raise Offaly's hopes of a surprise win.

He duly did, putting the minimum between the sides, but, in front of a 11,490-strong crowd, Kilkenny upped their intensity for the second half and responded as only Leinster and All-Ireland champions can.

They raided the Offaly defence for scores and with Offaly struggling at the other end, despite an initial score from Murray, the game quickly petered out as a contest.

On 56 minutes, Eoin Larkin, who stepped in for the injured Richie Power, drilled home Kilkenny's one and only goal. Further goals should have followed but Offaly stopper Brian Mullins was in fine form.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, J Tyrrell; T Walsh, B Hogan, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, J Fitzpatrick; W O'Dwyer, H Shefflin (capt), E Larkin; E Brennan, M Comerford, A Fogarty.

OFFALY: B Mullins; C Hernon, P Cleary, D Franks; G Oakley, D Kenny, K Brady; B Teehan, B Murphy; G Hanniffy, R Hanniffy (capt), D Molloy; B Carroll, J Bergin, D Murray.

Referee: Michael Wadding (Waterford)