Cats and Wexford through to Leinster MHC Final

Kilkenny and Wexford are through to the ESB Leinster Minor Hurling Final on July 5th following wins over Westmeath and Laois respectively tonight.

In Cusack Park, Mullingar a strong second half display earned Kilkenny a comfortable 2-19 to 0-06 win.

Kilkenny led by 1-05 to 0-05 at half-time thanks to a second minute Ger Aylward goal.

The Cats led by 1-04 to 0-01 , but Westmeath bounced back with four pointed frees from Barry O'Meara.

Indeed the hosts were unlucky not to get a goal of their own before the break when Anthony Price had his effort ruled out for a square ball.

But Kilkenny ran rampant on the restart, holding the hosts to just one second half point - with David Gavin on target.

Kilkenny added 1-04 in a five-minute spell after the interval, with Sean Kehoe slotting a long-range effort to the back of the Westmeath net.

The reigning All-Ireland champions failed to ease up with Walter Walsh and Richie Doyle among those impressing as they registered a place in this years provincial decider.

At O' Moore Park, Portlaoise the visitors withstood a strong second half comeback from Laois as Wexford emerged 2-21 to 0-15 winners.

Wexford burst out of the blocks and built up a 2-6 to 0-2 lead after 11 minutes, thanks to quick-fire goals from Ian Byrne and Paraic Farrell.

Laois's woes were further compounded by the loss of midfielder Paul Harding following a straight red card in the ninth minute.

Wexford led by 2-13 to 0-7 at the interval, but a brave Laois fought back in the second half.

Laois outscored the visitors by six points to two in an entertaining third quarter, as the gap was reduced to eight points.

However Wexford pushed ahead in the final quarter with five unanswered points with O'Keeffe, Byrne, substitute Cathal Clince (2) and Doyle on target.