Heartbreak as Kilkenny lose to Offaly in thrilling Leinster Under 20 Semi-Final

For the second successive year, Kilkenny's Leinster Championship hopes came to an end at the semi-final stage when going down to defending champions Offaly in Tullamore.

Mark Dowling's under 20 outfit were behind for a lot of an end to end tussle that had it all and it was a 2-3 tally from Shane Rigney that gave the Faithful County the edge come the final whistle.

A huge Offaly crowd was in attendance and the home side threatened to pull away when leading 1-9 to 0-7 nearing the end of the opening half but Kilkenny had big displays from the likes of Marty Murphy, Harry Shine and Eoghan Lyng and they only trailed by a point at the interval after scoring four on the spin.

Another four points inside the opening seven minutes of the second period and all appeared to be going swimmingly for the side in black and amber but in a moment that probably turned the game, Shane Rigney bagged his second goal to level up matters at 2-10 to 0-16.

That second goal sprung Offaly to life with Adam Screeney getting two points from frees immediately afterwards although they did get a bit of luck when Gearoid Dunne had a penalty effort excellently saved by Liam Hoare.

Screeney and Rigney then continued to torment the Kilkenny defence and with only five minutes left on the clock, five points was the difference.

If we know anything about Kilkenny teams however, it's that they never quit and a Niall Shortall goal in the 57th minute increased hope of a late houdini act.

Immediately after that effort Marty Murphy bore down on goal but luck wasn't on the Cats side as his batted attempt rebounded off the crossbar before Screeney and sub Alex Kavanagh pushed the Offaly lead out to four.

There was to be a second Kilkenny goal when Harry Shine drilled a 21 yard free to the net but ultimately time wasn't on their side as Offaly booked a place in the final against Dublin.

Teams and Scorers

Offaly: Adam Screeney (0-10, 8fs and 1 '65); Shane Rigney (2-3); Dan Bourke, Cathal King, Donal Shirley, Alex Kavanagh (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Harry Shine (1-10, 6fs and 1 '65);  Niall Shortall (1-0); Marty Murphy (0-2);  James Walsh, Darragh Queally, Rory Glynn, Gearoid Dunne, (0-1 each)

Offaly: Liam Hoare; Ruairi Kelly, Ben Miller, James Mahon; Donal Shirley, Brecon Kavanagh, Ter Guinan; Colin Spain, Cathal King; Shane Rigney, Dan Bourke, Conor Doyle; Leigh Kavanagh, Barry Egan, Adam Screeney.

Subs: Alex Kavanagh for L.Kavanagh, h-t; Marcas Dalton for Egan, 39 mins.

Kilkenny: Niall Holland (Tullaroan); Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan), Killian Corcoran (Shamrocks), Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh); Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge), Bill Hughes (Bennettsbridge), Paddy Langton (Young Irelands); Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro), James Walsh (Kilmacow); Darragh Queally (Emeralds), Harry Shine (Dicksboro), Gearoid Dunne (Tullaroan); Rory Glynn (Clara), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Niall Shortall (Shamrocks).

Subs: Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan) for Walsh, 37 mins; Ted Dunne (Graignamanagh) for Glynn, 43 mins; Sean Moore (Carrickshock) for Hughes, 54 mins.

Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)