ALL-IRELAND UNDER-21 HC SEMI-FINAL Kilkenny 2-22 Antrim 2-7: RICHIE HOGAN helped keep Kilkenny on track for a second successive sweep of all grade titles with this victory over Ulster champions Antrim at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, on Saturday. Man-of-the-match Hogan landed seven of his 14 points in the first half.

Antrim went in at half-time with some hope as they trailed the champions by only two points, 0-8 to 1-3, the goal coming after a Neil McManus 25-metre free wasn’t cleared and Darren Hamill pounced to put the sliotar in the net.

Kilkenny resumed in superb fashion and in the first 10 minutes of the half they outscored their opponents 1-4 to 0-1, John Mulhall goaling on 39 minutes after Hogan supplied the final pass.

The outcome was never in doubt after that as Hogan hit top form. Full forward JJ Farrell added their second goal on 50 minutes and corner back Paul Murphy supplied two exquisite points.

Antrim managed a consolation goal from CJ McGourty in the 59th minute as Kilkenny cruised to the finish.

KILKENNY: C McGrath; P Murphy (0-2, one free), P Nolan, C Fogarty; Lester Ryan, D Langton, M Walsh; M Kelly, Liam Ryan (0-2); C Fennelly, M Bergin (0-1), J Mulhall (1-1); R Hogan (0-14, eight frees, 2 65s), JJ Farrell (1-1), J Nolan. Subs: N Cleere (0-1)for J Nolan (42 mins), J Dowling for Kelly (51 mins), K Mooney for Liam Ryan (51 mins), P McCarthy for Hogan (58 mins), A Kearns for P Nolan (58 mins).

ANTRIM: C O'Connell; C McKinley, C Donnelly, M McFadden, T McCloskey, A Graffin, C McKinley, PJ OConnell, P McNaughton; N McManus (0-1), E McCloskey (1-1), P Doherty (0-2, frees); D McClean (0-1), CJ McGourty (0-1), D Hamill (1-0). Subs: R Donnelly (0-1)for McNaughton (38 mins), C Rocks for T McCloskey (46 mins), M Armstrong for McGourty (46 mins).

Referee: A Stapleton(Laois).