Kilkenny 'giant' plays key role in Leinster U20 Semi-Final showdown with Laois

Kilkenny captain Eoghan Lyng led by example on Wednesday evening as Kilkenny marched into their first Leinster Under 20 Final in three seasons after producing a big display to overcome Laois in Portlaoise.

The O'Moore County got the better of the Cats at this subsequent age at minor level and on the back of a victory over Wexford the last day out they were always going to be stiff opposition but the way Mark Dowling's team swatted aside the hosts in the second half was hugely impressive.

Kilkenny led for almost the entire game and always looked to have the upper hand but on the back of first half Kyro Cuddy goal and a positive beginning to the second period, Laois looked ripe to challenge the winners when only a point seperated the teams (0-11 to 1-7).

LISTEN: Derek Lyng, Mark Dowling and more - Kilkenny People Sport Podcast

What happened next was an emphatic tour de force that saw the side in black and amber score 13 points on the spin to put the result beyond any doubt.

Marty Murphy excelled during this period as the Laois defence struggled to control the Tullogher Rosbercon giant and with Eoghan Lyng leading the way in defence and Tom McPhillips and Sean Bergin controlling midfield, it was a relentless period of attack that saw Kilkenny own the ball.

Impact subs Antony Ireland Wall and Greg Kelly combined for three points upon the introduction and by the time Jack Breen pointed for Laois in the 58th minute to end a scoreless 20 minutes, the game had already passed them by.

Sean Bergin and Eoghan Lyng still had time to add to the Kilkenny tally before the end and they can now look forward to a Leinster Final meeting at the same venue against Dublin next week.

The Cats defeated the Dubs during the groups stages of the competition but with the side from the capital dethroning last year's All-Ireland champions Offaly and subsequent championship favourites Galway, it sets up an exciting affair which will be the third meeting of the counties in less than a week after the minor and senior games this weekend.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny- Michael Brennan (0-7, 4fs), Marty Murphy (0-5), Aaron McEvoy (0-2, 2fs), Eoghan Lyng, Sean Bergin, Ed Lauhoff, Ed McDermott, Anthony Ireland Wall (0-2 each); Jamie Lyng, Rory Glynn (0-1 each)

Laois- Ben Deegan (0-4, 3fs), Kyron Cuddy (1-0), Cian Hill, Tom Cuddy, Ross Deegan, Jack Breen, Jer Quinlan (0-1 each)

Kilkenny- Stephen Manogue (James Stephens); Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh), Rory Garrett (Fenians), Darragh Vereker (Glenmore); Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge), Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan), Cathal Hickey (St Lachtain's); Tom McPhillips (Dicksboro), Sean Bergin (James Stephens); Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan), Eoin Brennan (Erin's Own); Ed McDermott (James Stephens), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Rory Glynn (Clara).

Subs- Anthony Ireland Wall (Danesfort) for McEvoy, 39 mins; James Hughes (Bennettsbridge) for Murphy, 53 mins; Greg Kelly (O'Loughlin Gaels) for McDermott, 55 mins; Liam Hogan (Mooncoin) for Brennan, 57 mins; Jamie Lyng (Tullogher Rosbercon) for Neary, 60 mins.

Laois- Brochan O'Reilly; Rory Kelly, Joseph Pearson, Cormac Hogan; Ruaidhri Kavanagh, Tom Cuddy, Ciaran Flynn; Eoghan Cuddy, Ross Deegan; Ben Deegan, Cormac Byrne, Jack Breen; Jer Quinlan, Justin Duggan, Kyron Cuddy.

Subs- Mark Downey for Kavanagh, 46 mins; Evan Cassin for R.Deegan, 53 mins; Patrick O'Callaghan for B.Deegan, 53 mins; Kevin Byrne for Breen, 58 mins; Cian Hill for Duggan, 58 mins.

Referee- Conor Daly (Kildare)

HEAR MORE KILKENNY GAA ON OUR DEDICATED PODCAST BELOW: