Offaly hurlers see off Kilkenny in dramatic Leinster U-20 semi win

Wing forward Shane Rigney stepped into the breach to produce an outstanding performance, scoring 2-3 on a night when Adam Screeney was accurate from frees but subdued from open play, but the real heroes for Offaly were in defence, where Rúairí Kelly, Brecon Kavanagh and Donal Shirley were excellent.

Behind them, Liam Hoare made a string of outstanding saves, including a vital penalty stop to deny Gearóid Dunne in the second half.

Even so, it looked like Kilkenny were set to cruise to victory when they produced an exemplary response to Rigney’s first goal. After falling 1-9 to 0-7 behind, the physical power of Marty Murphy at full-forward was key as they rattled off four points in a row into the wind before half-time.

Four more followed at the start of the second half, including another excellent strike from Murphy that was set up by a majestic catch from Kilkenny’s leading light, wing back Eoghan Lyng.

Offaly missed a string of chances, struggling to gauge the wind as they dropped three efforts short, but saves from Hoare to deny Gearóid Dunne and Harry Shine were vital. Just as it looked like they were losing their way, Dan Bourke floated a pass into Rigney, the St Rynagh’s man crashed the ball to the net, and Offaly were back on level terms, and energized again.

What followed for the final 20 minutes was a performance of incredible tenacity and energy from Offaly to force dead ball chances for Screeney, while also pressuring Kilkenny into a dreadful run of shots, culminating in Dunne’s meek penalty and a missed free from the edge of the arc from Shine.

With a few moments left, the Stripey men rediscovered their identity, and found a way to force goals, and a tight finish. Hoare blocked an effort from Murphy but Niall Shortall swept in the rebound, and while Offaly replied with points from Screeney and Alex Kavanagh, Shine swept in a 20-metre goal to keep the tension alive.

Only for a minute though – this Offaly story has another chapter to write next Wednesday against Dublin.

Scorers - Offaly: A Screeney 0-10 (0-8 f, 0-1 65), S Rigney 2-3, C King 0-1, D Shirley 0-1, D Bourke 0-1, A Kavanagh 0-1. Kilkenny: H Shine 1-9 (1-6f, 0-1 65), N Shortall 1-0, M Murphy 0-2, J Walsh 0-1, R Glynn 0-1, C Hackett 0-1, G Dunne 0-1, D Queally 0-1.

Offaly: L Hoare; R Kelly, B Miller, J Mahon; T Guinan, B Kavanagh, D Shirley; C Spain, C King; S Rigney, D Bourke, C Doyle; L Kavanagh, B Egan, A Screeney. Subs: A Kavanagh for L Kavanagh (half-time), M Dalton for Egan (40), E Burke for A Kavanagh (43-48, temp).

Kilkenny: N Holland; I Bolger, K Corcoran, J Neary; E Lyng, B Hughes, P Langton; C Hackett, J Walsh; D Queally, H Shine, R Glynn; G Dunne, M Murphy, N Shortall. Subs: A McEvoy for Walsh (37), T Dunne for Glynn (44), S Moore for Hughes (55).

Ref: T Gleeson (Dublin).