Declan’s managed to survive second-half scare as Benildus battle hard in 10-goal thriller
DUBLIN SENIOR ‘A’ HURLING SEMI-FINAL
By Daire Walsh
A FIRST-HALF goal blitz proved to be pivotal at Martin Savage Park on Tuesday afternoon, as St Declan’s College, Cabra held off a courageous second period comeback from St Benildus College (5-13 to 5-10) to book their place in the Dublin Schools Senior Hurling ‘A’ decider against Ardscoil Ris (tomorrow, Sportsground, 2.0).
The strength of the breeze was always likely to have an impact on the play, and it was Declan’s who had it at their disposal in the first half.
With Eimhin Walsh once again leading the way, Declan’s responded to Michael Curley’s opening point for Benildus with a fortuitous goal from distance by Dylan Foy. A quartet of points from Conor Bresnan, Dylan Curley (two) and Glenn Dodrill subsequently helped them to build a promising platform, before Michael Curley’s scrambled three-pointer on 17 minutes injected fresh life into the challenge of the southsiders.
However, after Donal Burke and Brian McDonnell both found the target, quick-fire goals courtesy of Walsh and Bresnan kick-started a devastating end to the half for Declan’s.
Curley added another score from a placed-ball, but majors by Matthew Jordan and Foy ensured that a grand total of 18 points (5-9 to 1-3) separated the sides at the mid-way point. A Declan’s triumph now appeared inevitable, and despite conceding a second goal to the excellent Curley, they remained firmly in control as the final 20 minutes of action beckoned.
It was at this stage that Benildus discovered their rhythm, however, and two-point salvos from Tom Fox and Curley, as well as two majestic goals from athletic midfielder Callum Pearson, contributed to a fruitful spell that yielded 2-6 without reply.
The wind was making it almost impossible for Declan’s to add to their tally, but points from Walsh and Dodrill provided them with some breathing space prior to Conor O’Dwyer’s late goal for Benildus, and they eventually emerged with a narrow three-point win in the end.