GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER SHL
South and North get up and running with impressive openers
Daire Walsh
DUBLIN South and Dublin North produced impressive performances against Wexford opponents in the past few days to make successful starts to their Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling League campaigns.
First up on Monday afternoon, South had a potentially tricky assignment against St Peter’s, Wexford.
With Liam Murphy and midfielder Fergal Ryan showcasing their unerring dead-ball accuracy, Niall Williams’ charges hit the ground running against Peter’s.
Their Slaneyside counterparts caused them a number of problems, though a well-worked goal by half-forward Matthew Dunne ensured South were 1-10 to 1-7 in front during the interval.
In addition to Murphy, Dunne and Aaron O’Toole scores, Ciaran Foley grabbed a second goal to give Dublin South an emphatic 2-24 to 1-14 triumph.
There will be much attention on the aforementioned Dublin North squad this year, as a result of last season’s Leinster Championship final victory.
They recorded a commanding 2-20 to 1-10 win at the expense of Good Counsel, New Ross at the DCU Sportsgrounds yesterday afternoon.
Ian Sherry (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh) and Liam Dunne (Raheny) were star performers on the day for Paul O’Brien’s side, with the latter converting a number of frees for the Sky Blue representatives.
Conor Chawke registered an opening half goal, helping North to establish a 2-9 to 0-4 buffer at the midway stage.
They remained on top after the restart, as Matt Barr – son of former Dublin footballer Keith – started to exert his authority.
Good Counsel had occasional spells of attacking pressure, but this couldn’t prevent the march of the triumphant North.