HURLING: LEINSTER SCHOOLS’ SENIOR ‘A’ LEAGUE
Dublin South suffer second loss to dash hopes
Daire Walsh
DUBLIN SOUTH suffered their second defeat of their league campaign yesterday, ending hopes of progressing beyond the group stages.
South fell in their third and final group game of the campaign, losing away to Borris VS on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-11.
The loss came after a late scoring surge last Friday afternoon at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown had kept their hopes alive when the Metropolitan outfit claimed a vital 1-20 to 2-14 victory over Offaly Schools.
Following their narrow defeat to Good Counsel, New Ross just three days earlier, South required a win in order to stay in contention for a place in the knockout stages. Indeed, thanks to strong performances from defensive duo Luke Walsh and Rob Ward, Offaly were struggling to develop an attacking rhythm.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Sky Blue representatives in the opening period, but courtesy of an excellent goal from impressive full-forward Andrew Carroll (who finished with a personal tally of 1-4), they held a five-point cushion (1-12 to 0-10) when the action resumed.
With Alex Hatt also in fine form, South were in pole position for their opening triumph of the campaign.
However, following a brace of goals by a resurgent Offaly side, the tie was suddenly in the balance with the final whistle approaching.
South held firm to register three points without reply in the dying minutes, though, but the effort was vain a their final group game ended in an unexpected defeat.