LEINSTER JUV HL ‘A’ FINAL
Brilliant Dublin South successful in Leinster decider
Daire Walsh
IT was a day to remember for Dublin South at Eire Og, Carlow yesterday, as the Metropolitan outfit secured the Leinster Schools’ Juvenile Hurling ‘A’ League title with a hard-earned 3-9 to 1-8 success over St Kieran’s College of Kilkenny.
South had played out an engrossing draw (4-14 apiece) with Kieran’s in the competition’s group stages last month in O’Toole Park, and after the Noreside school overcame Dublin North last Friday week in the penultimate round, Cian Waldron’s side were certainly under no illusions about the challenge they faced in this showpiece encounter.
However, thanks to goals from midfielder Colm Behan and the dynamic Matthew Dunne, they were in the driving seat throughout the first period. Indeed, courtesy of a brace of points from Dunne and Aaron O’Toole, South entered the interval with a 2-6 to 0-6 lead – despite playing against the breeze during the opening 30 minutes of play.
A third major from Darrach McBride created even further daylight between the teams upon the resumption, but as expected, Kieran’s did finally enjoy a purple patch in the second-half. South found it difficult to get scores at times after the restart, but with Ciaran Foley, Conor Mooney, Ciaran Hogan and Colm Walsh producing outstanding defensive showings, they remained in the ascendancy.
A point from Hogan helped to settle South’s nerves, and following late scores by Adam Kelleher and O’Toole, the Sky Blues claimed the provincial crown in impressive fashion.