Leinster SHC- O'Loughlins march into Croke Park decider

O'Loughlin Gaels fought off a gallant second half comeback from Kilcormac-Killoughey to book their place in next Saturday's Leinster Senior Hurling Final.

The Kilkenny champions very much built the foundations for victory in an opening half where they dominated for large periods.

With the wind at their back O'Loughlins led 0-10 to 0-3 by the half-time whistle but they had to really battle hard in the second period where David Fogarty, Jordan Molloy, Conor Heary and Sean Bolger all got crucial scores from play.

O'Loughlins hit nine wides in that opening period as four points from top-scorer Mark Bergin gave them the edge with Kilcormac's youthful attack struggling to get in the game.

Kilcormac soon got ahead of steam however and got within two points inside the third quarter with Offaly Under 20 captain Charlie Mitchell leading the charge for the hosts.

Led by a defence that managed to keep Adam Screeney scoreless from play in the entire game, O'Loughlins always held the initiative and they had a response anytime Kilcormac threatened to get close on the scoreboard.

Things got close late on where there was five minutes added on and O'Loughlins got the final three points to come through.

The Kilkenny city side will now appear in their first provincial decider since 2016 where they will meet Dublin oufit Na Fianna.

Teams and Scorers

O'Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin (0-7, 0-6 frees), Seán Bolger, Owen Wall (0-2 each), Eoin O’Shea, Paddy Butler, Cian Loy, David Fogarty, Jordan Molloy, Conor Heary (0-1 each)

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Adam Screeney (0-5, 0-5 frees), Charlie Mitchell (0-3), Cillian Kiely (0-2, 0-1 '65'), James Gorman, Jack Screeney (0-1 each)

O'Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Mark Bergin, Eoin O'Shea, Conor Heary; Owen Wall, Paddy Butler, Sean Bolger.

Subs- Conor Kelly for P.Butler h/t, Luke Hogan for O'Shea 37 mins, Jamie Ryan for Nolan 58 mins.

Kilcormac-Killoughey: Conor Slevin; Brecon Kavanagh, Oisin Mahon, Tom Spain; Jordan Quinn, Cillian Kiely, Enda Grogan; Colin Spain, Damien Kilmartin; Jack Screeney, Conor Mahon, Leigh Kavanagh; Charlie Mitchell, James Gorman, Adam Screeney.

Subs- Cathal Kiely for L.Kavanagh h/t, Peter Geraghty for Gorman 42 mins, Thomas Geraghty for Kilmartin 56 mins, Ter Guinan for J.Screeney 61 mins.

Referee- Sean Stack (Dublin)