HURLING
Battle for the North and South
Daire Walsh
DUBLIN South and Dublin North will face each other in the final round of the Leinster Schools’ Senior Hurling ‘A’ Championship Group Section at Parnell Park on Sunday, following their respective triumphs against Offaly Schools and Laois Schools.
In the opening game of a double header at the DCU Sportsgrounds last Saturday, South were hoping to build on their victory over Wexford Schools seven days earlier. Indeed, thanks largely to a goal from Colaiste Eanna’s Aidan Mellett, they led by five points at the midway point.
Offaly Schools responded with a well-worked goal after the restart, but with excellent attacking displays from Davy Keogh, Eoin Foley and dead-ball specialist Ciaran Dowling being supplemented by a second major from Aaron Coffey, South emerged with a 2-17 to 1-10 win.
North were caused problems by Laois Schools in the second encounter on the Ballymun Road, before they ultimately sealed a 2-15 to 2-10 success. They did conceded two goals in the first-half, but with Colin Currie registering a penalty in emphatic style, they found themselves in the ascendancy at the break.
Ardscoil Ris’ Currie finished with a majestic personal haul of 1-7, while Naomh Barrog star Cillian Costello contributed 1-3. Daire Gray, John Walsh, Conor Burke and Johnny McGuirk also stood out on the day.