GAELIC GAMES: LEINSTER JUV ‘A’ HURLING LEAGUE
Mixed fortunes for Dublin sides in opening round
Daire Walsh
THERE were mixed fortunes for Dublin’s representative sides in the opening round of the Leinster Schools Juvenile ‘A’ Hurling League last week.
Whereas Dublin South recorded a magnificent 3-21 to 0-6 success against Kilkenny CBS on Thursday, Dublin North suffered a narrow away reversal to St Kieran’s College a day later (1-9 to 2-10).
With a significant wind at their backs, South led 1-13 to 0-2 during the interval of their visit to CBS.
In addition to Conor Brennan’s impressive 2-2 haul over the hour, Joey Dunne posted five points from midfield. Patrick Fitzgerald, Ross Mallarkey, Conor Cleary and Cian Manning also impressed, but the icing on the cake was provided by sub Stephen Pullen’s third goal for a clinical South outfit.
Their northside counterparts met holders Kieran’s in enemy territory and made then work for their eventual win. Con Rock and Tadhg Gorman picked off some fine scores in the first half, which also saw Castleknock’s Adam Kelly rattling the back of the Kieran’s net.
They were still five adrift at the midway point, and even though Sean Doyle, Gorman and Rock dramatically reduced their deficit, Kieran’s responded with a pivotal second goal. North kept battling until the bitter end, though, with powerful performances by Conor Dolan, Dylan Clarke and Joey Kinnane offering a great deal of encouragement.