Emphatic win for Leinster in hurling semi-final

Leinster 4-14 Ulster 0-8, Casement Park, Belfast

It was all one-way traffic at Casement Park in Belfast - title holders Leinster were in impressive form as they claimed an emphatic 18-point win over Ulster in this afternoon's M Donnelly Interprovincial semi-final.

Ulster led 0-2 to 0-0 thanks to early points from Kevin Hinphey of Derry and Antrim's Karl Stewart, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.

Leinster were in prolific form in front of the posts and quickly got going with a hat-trick of first half goals.

Offaly's Joe Bergin registered the first three-pointer after 16 minutes, with Kilkenny's Eddie Brennan following up 11 minutes later as Leinster powered into a 2-5 to 0-4 lead.

Brennan's Cats colleague Aidan Fogarty ensured a Leinster hat-trick before the interval as Leinster built up a 3-5 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Scores from Paul Shields kept Ulster in touch, but Leinster ran rampant in the second half and will now face Connacht in the final in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, March 14.