Kilkenny 2-31 Offaly 0-8:A ONE-SIDED second half saw the Kilkenny under-21s freewheel their way into the Leinster Hurling semi-finals at Nowlan Park last night. Seven points up at half-time, 1-12 to 0-8, Michael Walsh's side rattled off 1-19 without reply in the second half to stun an Offaly side, who holding there own before the break.

The rout started when James Nolan bagged his first score, a goal, in the 34th minute.

Kilkenny scored at ease in the second half, with Colin Fennelly (0-3), Mark Bergin (0-4), Liam Ryan (0-3) and Eoin Murphy (0-3) piling on the points as Offaly, who finished with 14 men after the dismissal of corner forward Thomas Spain, failed to find the target.

KILKENNY: C McGrath; A Cuddihy, C Fogarty, R Doyle; PJ Rowe, K Mooney, D Langton; P Murphy (0-1), C Fennelly (0-5); M Bergin (1-9, 0-5 frees), JJ Dunphy, L Ryan (0-5); E Murphy (0-4, 0-2 frees), W Walsh (0-2), J Nolan (1-2). Subs: M Fagan for Langton (44 mins), A Stapleton (0-3) for Walsh (44 mins), M Walsh for Bergin (52 mins), T Breen for Fennelly (52 mins), M Maloney for Doyle (52 mins).

OFFALY: J Dempsey; C Guinan, E Murphy (0-1, free), B Coughlan; C Egan, S Wynne, B Harding; D Morkan (0-1), B Lonergan (0-2); J Mulrooney (0-3, 0-2 frees), D Currams (0-1), D Gath; T Carroll, M Egan, T Spain. Subs: T Bolger for Gath (31 mins), K Leonard for Guinan (37 mins), M Ryan for Egan (42 mins), C McDonald for Coughlan (44 mins).

Referee: D Hughes (Carlow).