DUBLIN JUVENILE HC ‘A’ FINAL: ST COLMCILLE’S CS 1-7 ST DECLAN’S COLLEGE 1-5
COLM’ SECURE ‘A’ THRILLER
Sharpshooter Kenny fires Knocklyon school to historic Dublin juvenile victory over Declan’s
Daire Walsh
AN INSPIRATIONAL six-point haul from star forward Daragh Kenny was crucial at Abbotstown yesterday afternoon, when St Colmcille’s CS secured their maiden Dublin Schools Juvenile Hurling ‘A’ Championship success at the expense of St Declan’s College.
A 47th-minute goal by Connell McGlynn had placed Colmcille’s in the driving seat, and even though a Gerard Ryan-inspired Declan’s fought back in the closing stages, the Knocklyon school ultimately held on for a two-point triumph.
As a result of their emphatic 4-11 to 1-4 victory over Ardscoil Ris at the semi-final stage, Colmcille’s were full of confidence heading into this tie.
However, Declan’s claimed a 3-17 to 3-4 win against Colaiste Eanna in their penultimate round clash, and during a scrappy opening, they eventually broke the deadlock with a 12th-minute point by the lively Gerard Ryan.
Despite starting on the edge of the square, Kenny soon transferred to the half-forward line, and he levelled matters with a fine score from play. After being off-target from an earlier ’65’, Kenny converted a free at the beginning of the second-quarter, before Luke Walsh responded with a well-worked point for Declan’s.
Colmcille’s continued to create chances in the latter stages of the half, and three points in succession by Kenny helped them to establish a 0-5 to 0-2 interval advantage.
ACTION
Declan’s remained in contention when the action resumed, but it wasn’t until the 42nd minute that they registered their next score of the contest.
Gerard Ryan cancelled out a Comcille’s point from the preceding attack by Cian Durkin – who had a goal ruled out for a square ball on 46 minutes.
This was a let-off for Declan’s, but following a mazy run through the heart of their defence, McGlynn fired beyond the reach of netminder Cian O’Sullivan for the opening goal of the game. Colmcille’s had now opened up a gap of six points (1-6 to 0-3), but thanks to a 1-1 Gerard Ryan salvo, a determined Declan’s set-up a gripping finale.
Ryan’s long-distance free 11 minutes from time drifted all the way into the Colmcille’s net, and even though Kenny’s sixth score of the day settled them down once more, Declan’s replied with a well-worked point by corner-forward John Ryan.
This kept Colmcille’s on their toes heading into stoppage-time, but after a couple of close-range attempts were cleared from danger, they were finally able to claim the silverware on offer.
Scorers – St Colmcille’s CS: D Kenny 0-6 (5f), C McGlynn 1-0, C Durkin 0-1. St Declan’s College: G Ryan 1-3 (1-1f), L Walsh, J Ryan 0-1 each.
ST COLMCILLE’S CS: J Hutchison; S McDonald, A Gavin, O Byrne; L Mulligan, J O’Brien, D Gannon; J Maguire, M McDonald; D Malone, C Durkin, C McGlynn; C Kelly, D Kenny, T Brosnan. Sub: C Casey for Brosnan (59).
ST DECLAN’S COLLEGE: C O’Sullivan; S Cummins, C Foley, I Geoghegan; C Duffy, J O’Shea, D McSweeney; N Clerkin, A Duff; L Walsh, L Keating, G Ryan; A Boland, C McDonald, J Ryan. Sub: L Stone for McDonald (46).
Referee: D Harrington (St Sylvester’s).