Sport

Kelly proves a point as Munster march on

Interprovincial Hurling Semi-final/ Munster 1-21 Leinster 1-13 : Eoin Kelly may not have been nominated for an All Star award…

Mon Oct 15 2007 - 01:00

Interprovincial Hurling Semi-final/ Munster 1-21 Leinster 1-13: Eoin Kelly may not have been nominated for an All Star award, but the Waterford man produced a five-star performance in helping Munster to a deserved and comfortable victory over lethargic Leinster in Saturday's M Donnelly Interprovincial Hurling semi-final at Fermoy, reports Edward Newman.

Kelly was inexplicably ignored by the All Star selectors on the season-ending shortlist, but one of the game's most gifted hurlers contributed 1-10 of his side's total against a Leinster side containing 10 of Kilkenny All Ireland-winning panel.

Afterwards Kelly wasn't going to get drawn into another debate on his baffling All Star omission as he outlined his priorities.

"I'm not going to cry over spilt milk. An All-Ireland medal is what I want, but a Railway Cup medal is a great medal to have as well."

READ MORE

Munster produced their best hurling in front of 1,000 spectators on the turnover which was led primarily by the scintillating stick-work of Kelly.

Overall, Munster were better defensively, where Tipperary duo Declan Fanning and Conor O'Mahony, along with Cork's John Gardiner, turned in splendid performances. Munster led 0-13 to 1-7 at the break, with Wexford's Rory McCarthy providing the Leinster goal on 14 minutes.

Kelly was on hand to sweep home a 52nd minute goal following another huge Gardiner clearance. That made it 1-18 to 1-9 and, though the Déise star was replaced three minutes later, Munster were always in control.

MUNSTER: B Murray (Limerick); E Murphy (Waterford), D Fanning (Tipperary), G Quinn (Clare); J Gardiner (Cork, 0-2, one free, one 65), C O'Mahony (Tipperary), S Óg Ó hAilpín (Cork); M Walsh (Waterford) (capt, 0-2), D O'Grady (Limerick); M Fitzgerald (Limerick, 0-1), T McCarthy (Cork), E Kelly (Waterford) (1-10, 0-6 frees); J Mullane (Waterford, 0-1), S O'Connor (Limerick, 0-1), L Corbett (Tipperary, 0-2) Subs: D Shanahan (Waterford) for O'Connor and S McGrath (Tipperary, 0-1)for McCarthy (both 45 mins); J Clancy (Clare, 0-1)for Kelly (55 mins); B O'Connell for O'Grady (67 mins) .

LEINSTER: J McGarry (Kilkenny) (capt); B O'Leary (Wexford), B Hogan (Kilkenny), R Mullally (Kilkenny); T Walsh (Kilkenny), K Brady (Offaly, 0-1), J Ryall (Kilkenny); D Lyng (Kilkenny, 0-2), M Rice (Kilkenny, 0-2); R McCarthy (Wexford, 1-0), J Young (Laois, 0-5, four frees), W O'Dwyer (Kilkenny); B Lambert (Wexford, 0-1), R Power (Kilkenny, 0-1), A Fogarty (Kilkenny, 0-1). Subs: R Keogh (Wexford) for Mullally (23 mins); J Dalton (Kilkenny) for O'Leary (41 mins); B Carroll (Offaly) for Power (46).

Referee: M Haverty(Galway).