Dublin North and South to collide in showpiece
HURLING: LEINSTER PP JUV ‘A’ LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL ROUND-UP
By Daire Walsh
Dublin SOUTH and Dublin North will contest the Leinster Post-Primary Juvenile Hurling ‘A’ League Final at O’Toole Park tomorrow afternoon (throw-in 2pm) after both sides enjoyed impressive victories over Kilkenny opposition last week.
Of the two victorious outfits, Dublin South were perhaps the more comprehensive, as they finished with a total of 11 points to spare (1-14 to 1-3) over Kilkenny CBS last Friday.
A 0-4 contribution from the excellent Emmet Allen, as well as three successful placed-ball strikes by midfielder Ben Coffey, provided a strong platform for the metropolitans during the opening period, and thanks to additional scores by Fionn O’Ceallaigh, Rob Murphy and Kevin Desmond, they brought a 0-10 to 0-1 advantage into the second half.
A purple patch from CBS reduced their lead to just four points (0-10 to 1-3) upon the resumption, but a fine Diarmuid O’Flynn point helped to settle South’s nerves, and after Desmond registered a three-pointer at the end of a superb move, Cian Waldron’s side eased their way towards an emphatic triumph.
On the same day in Carlow town, Dublin North withstood a powerful fightback from St Kieran’s College, with fine showings from Mikey Noonan and Sean Currie proving pivotal on the day.
Like their county rivals, North played with the aid of a breeze early on, and courtesy of green flag efforts from Noonan and Sean Grenham, they opened up a seven-point cushion (2-6 to 1-2) over the Noresiders by the mid-way point.
Dublin North appeared to be odds-on to progress when neat link-up play from Noonan and Currie yielded a third major after the re-start, but a brace of well-worked Kieran’s goals breathed fresh life into the tie.
Indeed, a string of fine saves were required from North shotstopper Cathal McLoughlin in the latter stages, but with David Hawkshaw, Luke Hughes and Ryan Harte all making vital interventions, Martin Rabbitte’s men held out for a two-point win (3-8 to 3-6).