Dublin Clarke lose to Kerry in thrilling Celtic Challenge John Scott final

CELTIC CHALLENGE JOHN SCOTT FINAL

DUBLIN CLARKE 3-15 KERRY 5-16

Kerry hurlers were crowned Celtic Challenge Corn John Scott (U17) winners after defeating Dublin Clarke with a whirlwind finish in Saturday's final at O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

Dublin Clarke led by nine points at one stage of the opening half, 2-10 to 0-7, but were outscoring 2-5 to 0-0 in the concluding ten minutes of the second half as a talented and stylish Kerry side took the honours.

With Dublin leading 3-15 to 3-13 heading into the last five minutes they had Rory O'Neill dismissed, for an act of retaliation after being stood on, and from the resulting free Kerry full-forward Colin Walsh was put through on goal by a clever Dylan Moriarty flick to fire to the net to put Kerry into the lead for the first time since the second minute.

It was all Kerry to the finish with the highly influential Dylan Moriarty adding two frees while Michael Kelleher's excellent 60th minute goal really sealed Dublin Clarke's fate.

Kerry were also reduced to 14 when wing-back Daire Nolan was red-carded in the 62nd minute as Dublin Clarke strove to salvage the game.

Dublin had led 2-10 to 1-7 after a half that was high on quality and entertainment as both sides showcased the skills of the game.

Matthew Lynam scored both Dublin Clarke goals but the very pacey Kerry attack grabbed a goal of their own in first half injury-time.

Lynam's first green flag came in the third minute when he blasted to the net following a powerful run from the highly influential Ger Ryan.

However, the Kingdom replied with points from Seán Brosnan and a Dylan Moriarty free to level matters, 1-0 to 0-3 after seven minutes.

While Dublin Clarke edged back in front courtesy of a fine Ciarán McLoughney point Dublin Clarke had to show great defensive and battling skills to deny Kerry a goal as they applied great pressure.

Dublin Clarke began to take control of the game then around the middle sector and the scores began to flow.

The accuracy of Ger Ryan, from placed ball and open play, coupled with some fine point-taking from Jack Kielthy had Dublin Clarke in the ascendancy.

Two minutes before the interval Matthew Lynam struck for his second goal when he drifted onto Ger Ryan's sideline cut before rounding full-back Darragh Slattery and rifling to the net.

Ryan added a free from halfway to make it 2-10 to 0-7 before in added time Nathan Guerin got an important goal for the Kingdom.

Four minutes into the second half Kerry corner-forward Michael Kelleher showed great pace to angle in on goal and finish to the net to make it 2-11 to 2-8.

But Dublin Clarke replied just two minutes later when Lynam completed his hat-trick following unselfish play from Ger Ryan.

The tempo of the game never relented throughout, concluding in Kerry's incredible finale as they stormed to victory with their late scoring spree.

SCORERS - Kerry: D Moriarty 1-9 (0-9f), N Guerin 1-4, M Kelleher 2-0, C Walsh 1-0, S Brosnan, R Walsh, A Shanahan 0-1 each. Dublin Clarke: G Ryan 0-10 (0-7f), M Lynam 3-0, J Kielthy 0-4, C McLoughney 0-1.

DUBLIN CLARKE (Celtic Challenge Corn John Scott final v Kerry)

Management

CELTIC CHALLENGE GROUP C: Results

Round 1: Wexford 0-20 Dublin Plunkett 2-12; Laois 3-18 Offaly 2-15

Round 2: Offaly 2-11 Dublin Plunkett 2-10; Wexford 2-15 Dublin Clarke 1-12

Round 3: Dublin Clarke 1-20 Laois 1-11; Wexford 4-20 Offaly 2-6

Round 4: Dublin Clarke 6-18 Dublin Plunkett 1-16; Wexford 5-21 Laois 2-15

Round 5: Dublin Plunkett 0-23 Laois 3-12; Dublin Clarke 1-19 Offaly 1-15

QUARTER-FINALS (Corn John Scott)

Dublin Clarke 4-11 Tipperary Blue 2-14

Dublin Plunkett 2-13 Kilkenny Black 1-10

Kerry 2-19 Waterford 3-12

Cork City 1-16 Limerick Treaty 2-11

SEMI-FINALS (Corn John Scott)

Dublin Clarke 0-20 Dublin Plunkett 2-10

Kerry 2-13 Cork City 2-11

FINAL (Corn John Scott)

Kerry 5-16 Dublin Clarke 3-15