Kilkenny see off Dublin with late Ryan goal to secure Leinster SHC final return

Kilkenny returned to the Leinster senior hurling championship final after a 5-19 to 3-21 win over Dublin at Nowlan Park this afternoon.

The holders survived a second-half comeback from the capital men with the help of a late Billy Ryan to make it four wins from four and seal their place in the eastern province’s decider against either Dublin or Galway.

Four of the Cats’ goals came in the first-half, with Adrian Mullen bagging their first after 15 minutes and Ryan, TJ Reid (1-9) and Martin Keoghan adding more of them to move their team towards a commanding 4-12 to 0-10 half-time lead.

💥 PHENOMENAL from Cian O’Sullivan!

A moment of magic when @DubGAAOfficial needed it most and now they’re right back in the fight!

Hurling clips brought to you by @eir #eirforall #KILVDUB pic.twitter.com/XiiJmWaLTD

— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 18, 2025

Seán Currie netted a goal three minutes into the restart to give Dublin some life and he’d grab a second from a free midway through the second period to make it an eight-point game.

The comeback was well and truly on when Cian Sullivan hammered in the Metropolitans’ third goal with 15 minutes remaining, as the margin would be reduced to just three after points from Chris Crummey and Conor Donohoe.

Reid and Ryan hit points in response but Dublin kept up the push and the scoreboard would read 4-19 to 3-20 before Ryan hit the visitors’ net again with a minute left in regulation to take the pressure off Derek Lyng’s side.

Rian McBride picks out Club Hurler of the Year ➡️ AJ Murphy with a beauty and Murphy nails the point! Superb link-up from @DubGAAOfficial! 👌

Hurling clips brought to you by @eir #eirforall #KILVDUB pic.twitter.com/t2QaSFVgre

— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 18, 2025