LEINSTER PP SCHS SHC ‘C’ FINAL
Resolute Fergal’s edge out Declan’s
Daire Walsh
THEY produced a spirited display at Hawkfield on Monday, but St Declan’s College came up short against 14-man St Fergal’s, Rathdowney in the Leinster Schools Senior Hurling ‘C’ Championship final.
Six days on from their county final success over Lucan CBS, Declan’s were on the brink of provincial glory when they held a five-point interval advantage. However, Fergal’s dug deep in the absence of the red-carded Michael Shortt, and eventually secured a 1-16 to 1-9 triumph.
It had been a hectic week for Declan’s trio Kevin Burke, Sean Clerkin and David Phelan, who all featured for Dublin North in their monumental Leinster SH ‘A’ victory last Thursday.
Burke cancelled out an early point by Fergal’s midfielder Diarmuid Conway, before Tom Cullen and Ian Sherry edged Brian Avery’s side into the lead.
Additional singles from Burke (two) and Clerkin subsequently enhanced their cushion – and full-forward John Gudson also added a goal for the rampant northsiders.
Shortt’s 24th-minute dismissal offered further incentive to Declan’s, but a 0-2 salvo courtesy of Chris Rafter kept Fergal’s in the hunt for the top prize at the beginning of the second half.
Indeed, after Fergal’s restored parity within 10 minutes of the restart, unanswered scores by Conway, Mark Hennessy and Rafter moved them into the ascendancy.
Declan’s finally added to their tally with a pointed Clerkin free, but in addition to Rafter and Cillian Maher efforts, an Evan Hawkes goal sealed an impressive win for St Fergal’s.