Big guns mix well with Young

Hurling Interprovincial semi-finals/ Leinster 1-25 Connacht 0-10: Leinster qualified for the M Donnelly interprovincial final…

Hurling Interprovincial semi-finals/ Leinster 1-25 Connacht 0-10: Leinster qualified for the M Donnelly interprovincial final in Boston after a whirlwind opening half against the wind in Loughrea yesterday. Laois midfielder James Young shot 0-12, three from play, for the winners and had an excellent game overall.

Leinster qualified for the M Donnelly interprovincial final in Boston after a whirlwind opening half against the wind in Loughrea yesterday. Laois midfielder James Young shot 0-12, three from play, for the winners and had an excellent game overall.

Connacht started brightly and Niall Healy shot three points and Shane Kavanagh converted a long-range free to put them 0-4 to 0-1 in front after six minutes.

Leinster took control over the next 10 minutes, shooting 1-7 without a reply from Connacht. Gary Hanniffy got the game's only goal after 17 minutes.

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Healy replied with three points for Connacht before the break but Leinster were picking off scores at will and by half-time they added another seven points,

Fergal Healy got the first score after the break but Connacht were unable to break down a solid Leinster rearguard.

The eastern province scored another seven points before Niall Healy got Connacht's second score of the half after 67 minutes as Leinster ran out easy winners.

LEINSTER: D Fitzhenry; R Mullaly, D Ryan, J Tennyson; R Hanniffy, D Ruth, JJ Delaney; J Ryall, J Young (0-12, nine frees); R Power (0-4), M Comerford (0-1), T Walsh (0-2); E Brennan (0-2), G Hanniffy (1-2), B Carroll (0-2). Subs: S Clynch for Comerford (55 mins), S Kavanagh for Delaney (55 mins), M Cordial for Ryall (62 mins).

CONNACHT: L Donoghue; D Joyce, T Óg Regan, A Coen; D Hardiman, L Hodgins, G Mahon; S Kavanagh (0-1, free), D Collins; F Healy (0-1), R Murray, K Broderick; K Higgins, N Healy (0-7, four frees, one 65), N Kenny. Subs: T Tierney (0-1) for Kenny (34 mins, inj), K Wade for Murray (half-time), K Burke for Mahon (half-time), M Connaughton for Broderick (59 mins), M Keaveney for Coen (60 mins), R Mullery for Collins (64 mins).

Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).