By Kevin Egan

There were no shocks in this afternoon’s four Electric Ireland Leinster MHC quarter-finals as Kilkenny, Dublin and Wexford all racked up big wins to secure their spots in the last four, while Offaly produced a strong second half performance against the wind in their home clash with Laois to earn their berth, with Cathal Kiely and Cillian Sampson both in superb form for the Faithful men.

It finished 2-19 to 1-14 at Bord na Móna O’Connor Park with Kiely (0-12) and Sampson (2-5) dominant, but with a strong breeze blowing down the ground, the tie was still very much in the balance when Offaly led by 0-13 to 1-5 at the break, Adam Kirwan firing 1-3 for Laois in that opening half all from frees.

Two superb points from Kiely shortly after half time helped to maintain that lead and when Sampson fired in a wonderful goal after 44 minutes, Offaly were completely in control.

They’ll play Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final after the Cats crushed Westmeath by 5-28 to 1-5 at TEG Cusack Park in Mullingar.

Jack Gillen deflected a long Shane Williams free to the Kilkenny net to give Westmeath an early lead at 1-0 to 0-2, but Kilkenny settled into the game and some fine shooting from Conor Kelly helped them into a 0-11 to 1-3 interval lead.

The ten minutes after half time were utterly devastating, as Kilkenny blasted 3-6 without reply. Jack Buggy, Eoin Guilfoyle and George Murphy blasted in the goals, while Buggy added a second and Cathal O’Rourke another by the end. Conor Kelly ended the day with 0-13 to his name.

Wexford were never under any real pressure against Kildare and an AJ Redmond penalty just before half time was enough to allow them to coast through the second half of their contest at St. Conleth’s Park in Newbridge. Both sides ended the game with fourteen men as Wexford ran out 2-21 to 0-12 winners.

A clash with Dublin is next up for the Model County after Dublin eased to a 3-16 to 0-4 win over Antrim at Dowdallshill. Dara Purcell and Luke Swan fired in first half goals to put Dublin 11 points clear at the interval, and they cruised to victory with the aid of the breeze at the Louth venue.