Walter Walsh impact not enough as London and New York to meet in All-Ireland JFC decider
Not for the first time this year, the three-time MacCarthy Cup winner switched codes and had a big impact as the Cats came up just shy of London in their All-Ireland JFC semi-final.
Walsh, who retired from inter-county hurling after the 2024 season, played junior rugby for Leinster earlier this year and showed his football skills with two points this time.
The 2012 All-Ireland hurling final replay hero created several scores also and had two goal chances, though was ultimately powerless to prevent London winning by 1-17 to 0-17 in Abbottstown.
Noel Maher's four two-point scores for London were crucial as the side managed by former London senior boss Paul Coggins advanced to Sunday's final against holders New York.
Kilkenny led by 0-8 to 0-4 after a bright start, with Walsh winning the throw-in and immediately getting his county on the attack.
And while London fought back to level it up at 0-8 apiece at the break, Kilkenny took off again in the third quarter with another Walsh score helping them to lead by 0-12 to 0-8.
They ran out of steam in the sweltering heat though and London took advantage in the final 20 minutes, reeling off four two-pointers and a goal from Ali Carney.
Maher boomed over three of those late two-pointers while Carney's goal arrived in the 43rd minute for the All-Britain champions.
Former Donegal senior and 2010 All-Ireland U-21 finalist James Carroll finished with 0-8 for Kilkenny. His last score left three in it and Kilkenny chased a goal after the siren sounded but couldn't breach London's green wall.
It'll be a repeat of last year's final which New York won to claim back-to-back titles.
Like London, Mick Healy's New York trailed by four points initially before coming roaring back with a strong second-half display to win their semi-final 2-12 to 1-11.
Jack Gillespie was terrific for Warwickshire in the first-half and the number eight scored three points as the side beaten by London in last month's All-Britain final led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time.
Warwickshire twice got the margin back out to four points in the third quarter before wilting noticeably in the heat.
New York outscored Warwickshire by 2-7 to 1-2 in the closing 20 minutes with Jack Healy grabbing their first goal.
Healy finished with 1-2 and took his goal well, capitalising on a strong press on Warwickshire's kick-out.
Full-forward Brian Coughlan added a point for New York and finished with 0-5.
New York, who beat USGAA after extra-time at the quarter-final stage, got a strong kick from subs and Colm Shalvey in particular.
Shalvey struck their second goal in the 51st minute to seal it, having earlier won a free that was converted.
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