Kilkenny inflicted a 5-23 to 1-10 drubbing on Offaly and Wexford outclassed Laois in a 5-16 to 0-10 victory in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Under-20 HC this afternoon.
Patrick Lacey proved deadly in front of goal for Henry Shefflin's young Cats at UPMC Nowlan Park, registering a personal tally of 3-05.
The first major in Lacey's first-half hat-trick for a ruthless Kilkenny side came in the very first minute, with Ruarc Sweeney also finding the back of the net before the interval.
The hosts led by 4-16 to 0-02 at half-time, allowing the Cats to coast through the second period.
Greg Kelly added a fifth Kilkenny goal, while a foul on Darragh Scully allowed Andrew Hogan the opportunity for an Offaly consolation goal from a penalty.
Sean O'Brien proved Wexford's chief attacking threat in their clash against Laois at Laois Hire O'Moore Park, and was responsible for 2-03 of their eventual haul.
O'Brien's opening goal in the 22nd minute and Tom Dempsey's kicked major soon after helped the Model men to a 2-08 to 0-04 half-time advantage.
Ronan Shannon, O'Brien and Jack Dunne each netted in the second period, while Cormac Byrne recorded half of the Laois scores over the course of the afternoon in an otherwise toothless attacking display.
