Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Kilkenny's Greg Kelly celebrates after the game with Micheal Brennan and Micheal Ahern.Laszlo Geczo/INPHO FreeCats Get The Cream Early goals secure convincing Leinster U20 win for Kilkenny The young Cats were chasing a first provincial title at the grade since 2022. 9.43pm, 21 May 2025 Share options Kilkenny 2-21 Dublin 0-17 Paul Keane reports from Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise EARLY GOALS FROM Rory Glynn and Aaron McEvoy laid the platform for a convincing Leinster U20 HC final triumph for Kilkenny, propelling them through to the All-Ireland decider. The young Cats were chasing a first provincial title at the grade since 2022 and duly delivered with an assured display over the hour. Glynn and McEvoy finished with 2-3 between them while free-taker Michael Brennan top scored with eight points. But it was more about the power of the collective as Kilkenny dominated in virtually all areas to reel off their fourth win in the province this season and claim a 28th title. Dublin built up a head of steam throughout the knock-out series having previously lost to Kilkenny by seven points in the group stage. But they never looked like gaining revenge and trailed throughout as Kilkenny advanced to a May 31 All-Ireland final against Tipperary. Dublin’s cause wasn’t helped by playing the majority of the second-half with 14 players after Fionn Murphy’s dismissal. Mark Dowling’s Kilkenny arrived armed with momentum after blitzing Laois with a second-half scoring siege at the same venue in last week’s semi-final. They qualified for that last four tie after topping their tier one group. As for Dublin, they took the circuitous route to the provincial decider having lost their two group games and bounced back with knock-out wins over Antrim, holders Offaly and Galway. Dublin took the exact same journey to last year’s final but, for the second year running, came up short in the showpiece. They were desperate to make amends here and to secure both an eighth Leinster title and a first All-Ireland final berth since the delayed 2020 decider. Advertisement But they trailed from pillar to post, coughing up a fifth minute goal to Glynn and operating within Kilkenny’s slipstream for the duration. How they missed the creative spark of injured attacker David Purcell. Fellow senior Conal O Riain had his moments and sniped two long-range points but Kilkenny deserved their 2-9 to 0-9 half-time lead. McEvoy hit Kilkenny’s second goal in the 13th minute, bursting through the centre and rifling to the net. Dublin briefly got it going with four points in a row between the 25th and 29th minutes. Senan Crosbie struck the last of those points and punched the air in celebration. But it was a false dawn as Kilkenny hit the afterburners in the second-half and played for the majority of it with an extra player. Midfielder Murphy was shown a second yellow for Dublin shortly after the restart. Kilkenny twice reeled off unanswered four-point bursts with defender Darragh Vereker and captain Tom McPhillips among the scorers. Kilkenny scorers: Michael Brennan 0-8 (0-5f, 0-1 65), Rory Glynn 1-2, Aaron McEvoy 1-1, Ed Lauhoff 0-4, Darragh Vereker 0-2, Tom McPhillips 0-2, Ed McDermott 0-1, Anthony Ireland Wall 0-1. Dublin scorers: Senan Crosbie 0-4 (0-1f), Daniel O’Kelly 0-4 (0-4f), Ollie Gaffney 0-3 (3f), Conal O Riain 0-2, Callum Graham 0-2, Joey Kinnane 0-1, Brendan Kenny 0-1. 1. Stephen Manogue (James Stephens) 6. Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan) 3. Rory Garrett (Fenians) 2. Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh) 9. Sean Bergin (James Stephens) 5. Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge) 7. Cathal Hickey (St Lachtain’s) 8. Tom McPhillips (Dicksboro – Captain) 4. Darragh Vereker (Glenmore) 13. Ed McDermott (James Stephens) 11. Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan) 12. Michael Brennan (Erin’s Own) 10. Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens) 14. Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon) 15. Rory Glynn (Clara) 18. Jack Dollard (Glenmore) for Bergin (h/t) 22. Anthony Ireland Wall (Danesfort) for McDermott (48) 17. Michael Ahern (Emeralds) for Garrett (52) 23. Greg Kelly (O’Loughlin Gaels) for Murphy (55) 20. James Hughes (Bennettsbridge) for Glynn (61). 1. Daniel Joyce (St Peregrines) 2. Conor Groarke (Cuala) 6. David Lucey (Kilmacud Crokes) 7. Joe Sheppard (Clontarf) 17. Killian Costello (Lucan Sarsfields) 3. Ben Lynch (Kilmacud Crokes) 8. Brendan Kenny (Kilmacud Crokes) 21. Cathal Kennedy (Lucan Sarsfields) 5. Fionn Murphy (Ballyboden St Enda’s) 15. Daniel O’Kelly (Commercials) 10. Joey Kinnane (Naomh Mearnog) 12. Senan Crosbie (St Finian’s, Swords) 23. Callum Graham (St Judes) 13. Ollie Gaffney (Erin’s Isle – Captain) 9. Conal O Riain (Kilmacud Crokes) 20. Nathan Fitzgerald (Erin’s Isle) for O’Kelly (41) 22. James Norris (Ballyboden St Enda’s) for Graham (47) 18. Finnian Donohoe (Kilmacud Crokes) for Kennedy (52) View 6 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Early goals secure convincing Leinster U20 win for Kilkenny ”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Early goals secure convincing Leinster U20 win for Kilkenny ”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Cats Get The Cream News in 60 seconds FreeReaction 'If the board and the fans feel that I'm not the right guy, I will go the next day' Postecoglou wants to build on Spurs' Europa League triumph despite exit talk 15 mins ago FreeDelight 'We get battered, not winning a trophy, not winning anything... I'm so happy' 33 mins ago Analysisthe glory game Dreadful Europa League final delivers glory for Ange and huge question marks around Ruben Amorim 33 mins ago Freelooking ahead Leinster to begin their campaign in South Africa as 2025-26 URC fixture list released 43 mins ago FreeTake a Bow Ireland thrash West Indies in ODI opener Tottenham edge Man United to win Europa League final FreeAs it happened Man United v Tottenham, Europa League final Morgan spliced Ulster Rugby confirm that fly-half Aidan Morgan has left 'by mutual consent' Munster sign UCC second row on development deal Wallabies loosehead prop Angus Bell set to sign for Ulster more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online Sign in or create a free account To continue reading create a free account Or sign into an existing account