GAELIC GAMES: DUBLIN SHC ‘B’ FINAL
CROKE’S STRIKE SPURS ON ‘NURE
Daire Walsh
THERE were joyous scenes last Friday afternoon in O’Toole Park for Terenure College, who claimed the Dublin Schools SHC ‘B’ crown thanks to an impressive 2-17 to 1-8 victory over St Colmcille’s CS.
Nure have made remarkable progress through the ranks of schools hurling in recent years, and having also secured the ‘C’ title against Oatlands College just 12 months ago, they will compete in the top-tier of the senior grade in 2016.
Playing with a strong breeze, Colmcille’s responded to an opening point from ‘Nure midfielder Philip Jordan with unanswered scores by Cillian Byrne (free), Karl Reddy and captain Robert Leddy.
The Knocklyon side added scores through Conor Barton and Byrne, but after Mark McGee, Jake Moore, John Quirke and Jordan (free) all found the target, a terrific 26th minute goal from David Croke helped ‘Nure to develop a 1-7 to 0-6 interval lead.
Colmcille’s were still in contention upon the resumption, but they were left with a mountain to climb when Ballyboden St Enda’s clubman Kevin Desmond registered ‘Nure’s second goal from the opening attack of the half.
With momentum on their side, ‘Nure stretched their advantage to ten points with contributions from Quirke, Jordan (two) and McGee, before a 42nd minute Sam Lally goal breathed fresh life into the Colmcille’s challenge.
This only offered them a brief respite, though, and following a series of late scores (including a brace for the outstanding Jordan), Terenure College finished with 12 points to spare.