KIRBY DRIVES DAVIS TO TOP
Kiltipper side are crowned kings with ‘G’ final flourish
THOMAS DAVIS……………………………..2-13
ST VINCENT’S…………………………………2-9
Daire Walsh
THOMAS DAVIS held their nerve in a frantic finale against St Vincent’s at a rain-sodden O’Toole Park on Sunday afternoon to claim the Dublin Junior ‘G’ Hurling Championship title.
Having built up a commanding lead either side of the interval, Davis’ were pegged back by their plucky Marino counterparts. Thanks in no small part to the leadership of full-forward Thomas Russell, Vins were a single point adrift with three minutes of normal time remaining.
Yet this was the cue for Davis to underline their credentials. Courtesy of unanswered points by John Sinnott (two) and Eoin Kirby – who finished with 1-3 and 1-4 to their names respectively – the Tallaght men prevailed in deserved style.
Whereas Thomas Davis enjoyed an unbeaten march to the final, Vins were defeated by Stars of Erin in the final game of Group Two. Nevertheless, their four previous victories were enough to give them top spot in the table and they subsequently got the better of St Monica’s in the knockout rounds.
Davis’, on the other hand, comfortably overcame local rivals Ballyboden St Enda’s in the last-four. It was Vins who drew first blood in this contest – Michael Callinan dissecting the uprights via a pass by half-forward partner Conor Burns.
PROCEEDINGS
Sinnott responded at the opposite end and Luke Dempsey also raised a white flag off a long-distance free. Despite the wet conditions, it was proving to be an exciting opening to the proceedings.
With just five minutes gone on the clock, Callinan pulled to the net off a goalmouth scramble. While this was a set-back for Thomas Davis, Sinnott turned smartly moments later to unleash an unstoppable finish beyond the reach of Vins netminder Paddy Clerkin.
Following this frantic phase of play, scoring opportunities were at a premium for the remainder of the first quarter. Russell’s maiden point of the tie was cancelled out by another monstrous Dempsey free to give Davis’ a slender cushion at the first half water break (1-3 to 1-2).
John Kinsella and his opposite number Russell proceeded to trade scores when the action resumed, only for the Kiltipper side to create further daylight through Kirby and Dempsey. Corner-forward Liam Burns got them back on level terms when he angled a speculative shot into the roof of the net, but this was a minor speed bump for Davis’.
Best known for his exploits with the club’s senior footballers, Kirby was fast turning into his side’s go-to attacker. His quickfire 1-1 salvo was supplemented by a Michael Small free to move Thomas Davis 2-8 to 2-3 ahead at the midway juncture.
The gauntlet had well and truly been thrown down to Vincent’s and it was up to them to produce a swift reply on the resumption. They certainly weren’t lacking in endeavour but, with team captain Aaron Rafferty cajoling the Davis’ defence, the northsiders found scores hard to come by.
Thomas Davis were that bit more clinical in front of the posts and with Sinnott and Kirby extending the gap to seven points, they looked set to ease over the line. However, Vins weren’t prepared to go down without a fight.
Russell converted a ’45’ to finally get them up and running in the second half and the same player was on target inside the closing quarter. This gave Vins sustained momentum for virtually the first time in the contest and with substitute Conor Casserly adding his name to the scoresheet it was very much game on in the Kimmage venue.
Russell fired over a brace to make it a one-point game, but this was as close as the Pairc Naomh Uinsionn outfit came to the big prize. Sinnott settled Davis with a close-range free and turned provider for a John O’Donovan effort in the 59th minute.
Given how well he had performed throughout, it was fitting that Kirby rounded off the scoring deep into stoppage-time. Pouncing on a short clearance, he posted a magnificent point to secure the spoils for a jubilant Thomas Davis.
MATCH FILE
Scorers – Thomas Davis: E Kirby 1-4, J Sinnott 1-3 (0-1f), L Dempsey 0-3 (3f), M Small (f), J O’Donovan, J Kinsella 0-1 each. St Vincent’s: T Russell 0-6 (3f, 2 ’65’), M Callinan 1-1, L Burns 1-0 each, E Manning, C Casserly 0-1 each.
THOMAS DAVIS: B Rogers; M Nolan, S Bates, A Rafferty; A Dalton, D Nolan, L Dempsey; T Gregg, L Sinnott; M Small, E Kirby, J O’Donovan; C Cronin, J Kinsella, J Sinnott.
Subs: D Caffrey for Small (40), P Kennedy for Gregg (54), A Fallon for Rafferty (60), M Leigh for Kinsella (65).
ST VINCENT’S: P Clerkin; D Butler, E Clerkin, D Drumgoole; C O’Brien, D Feehan, J Harney; E Manning, M Curley; M Callinan, C Burns, C Brady; M Dunleavy, T Russell, L Burns.
Subs: B McCarry for O’Brien (8), C Casserly for Burns (39), A O’Sullivan for Manning (65).
MENTORS – Thomas Davis: Kevin Ward, Denis Donovan, Philip Kavanagh, Gerry Condren, Colm Browne. St Vincent’s: Frank Brady, Noel Drumgoole, Fergal Curley.
Referee: Stephen Maher (Crumlin).
WIDES – Thomas Davis: 8 (5+3). St Vincent’s: 7 (4+3).
CONDITIONS: Wet throughout but with only a gentle breeze.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Eoin Kirby (Thomas Davis).