GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER JUV HL ‘A’
Mixed fortunes for Dublin teams in provincial league
Daire Walsh
A STUNNING third-quarter goal blitz proved to be the highlight at O’Toole Park on Monday, as Dublin South booked their place in the semi-final of the Leinster Schools Juvenile ‘A’ Hurling League with an emphatic 5-14 to 0-11 victory over Kilkenny CBS.
Cian Waldron’s charges were unbeaten heading into this crunch encounter with the Noresiders, and following a goal by Matthew Dunne, they led 1-7 to 0-4 during the interval.
It was by no means a foregone conclusion when the play restarted, but courtesy of quick-fire three-pointers from Dunne, Sean Kinsella and Aaron O’Toole in a ten-minute spell, South were in control.
Midfielder Tom Ahern was also a constant source of scores for South, who will more than likely be facing their Metropolitan rivals, Dublin North, at the last-four stage. Prior to last Friday’s meeting with St Kieran’s, North were in the hunt for the top spot in Group One, but it proved to be a daunting away trip for Martin Rabbitte’s side.
Mark Sweeney, John Salmon and Eoin Gleeson registered some fine points, but despite the best efforts of Conor O’Brien, Darragh McLoughney and Conor Scully, a 4-12 to 0-7 reversal means that Dublin North have to settle for the runner-up place.