Kilkenny edge out Dublin in Leinster U-20 Championship

Kilkenny 1-21 Dublin 2-16

Even without a couple of their senior stars, Kilkenny had enough at UPMC Nowlan Park to hold off Dublin and to secure their Leinster U-20 Hurling Championship semi-final place as group winners.

Six points for Gearóid Dunne and a first-half goal from Ted Dunne proved significant as the Cats came from behind to secure a gutsy win.

Billy Drennan would have missed the game due to senior activity at the same venue this evening but an injury ruled the Galmoy phenom out anyhow, while Timmy Clifford, who struck 1-2 in last weekend's Round 2 win over Galway, was also required by the seniors.

Despite those high-profile absentees, Kilkenny were still able to recover from a five-point deficit after 20 minutes to win by two.

Despite the defeat, Dublin's first of the campaign, they have finished second in the table so both Kilkenny and Dublin will advance to the last four of the province as group winners and runners-up.

With Galway defeating Wexford 1-20 to 1-17 on Friday, Dublin knew they were already through to the last four though Kilkenny still required at least a draw.

Dublin impressed initially, with Jamie Conroy's 10th-minute goal nudging them 1-02 to 0-03 clear.

Dublin then outscored Kilkenny by 0-05 to 0-01 between the 11th and 16th minutes to put daylight between the teams and when Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing knocked over his fourth point of the game in the 20th minute, the visitors led by 1-08 to 0-06.

Kilkenny needed a lift and got it in the form of a goal from Ted Dunne, while Cillian Hackett, Croke Cup star Killian Doyle and Joe Fitzpatrick weighed in with points to tie it up at 1-09 to 1-09 at half-time.

They were tied four more times in the second half up to 1-14 apiece before Kilkenny finally pulled