Castleblayney missed out on a place in the All-Ireland junior club hurling decider following a 3-20 to 1-12 defeat to Tullogher Rosbercon at the Downs.
Just three points separated the sides at half-time before a dominant second-half performance saw Tullogher Rosbercon claim victory.
Castleblayney got off to a dream start. Points from Fergal Rafter, Leo Maloney, Thomas Hughes and Mark Treanor saw them lead 0-4 to no score inside five minutes.
Tullogher Rosbercon eventually settled, Conor Hennessy scored a goal on seven minutes. Eight minutes later Cian O’Donoghue added another as the Kilkenny side moved three points clear.
Fergal Rafter found the net for Castleblayney on 16 minutes. However, the Monaghan side still trailed 2-8 to 1-8 at half-time.
O’Donoghue registered his second goal on 52 minutes as Tullogher opened up a 12-point lead.
The margin proved unassailable in the end as Tullogher Rosbercon advanced to play St. Catherine’s in the decider.
