Dublin North to fly the flag in Leinster Schools SHC ‘A’ final

Dublin North face reigning provincial holders, St Kieran's, in this Thursday's Top Oil Leinster PP Schools SHC 'A' final (Corn Uí Dhuill) in Netwatch Cullen Park (2.0).

The Dubs, who are managed by Paul O'Brien, defeated Kilkenny CBS 3-12 to 0-18 in their provincial semi-final while St Kieran's overcame St Peter's of Wexford (2-13 to 2-8).

Early goals in each half were crucial for Dublin North as they rocked Kilkenny CBS with two well-taken goals in the opening five minutes. And despite falling behind before half-time, a third goal immediately after the restart put Dublin North in control again.

The winners – with players from 11 schools in their starting 15 in Portlaoise that day – were the better balanced team and deserved their victory against a CBS Kilkenny side that was over-reliant on free-taker Conor Drennan for scores.

The Dublin North defence impressed with Andrew Dunphy and Kevin Burke particularly prominent at full-back and centre-back respectively.

Conor Berrigan and Cian Derwin got the early goals after great build-up play from centre-forward Lee Gannon on both occasions.

But with the wind in their favour, CBS Kilkenny turned a 2-2 to 0-4 deficit after 21 minutes into a 0-10 to 2-3 interval lead. Midfielder Joe Sheehan, with 0-2, was their only other scorer in this period.

Their lead didn’t last long, however, as substitute Billy Ryan made an instant impact for Dublin North with a well-taken goal only seconds after the restart.

They pulled further clear with points from Seán Currie and Conor Berrigan and had built up a six-point advantage (3-9 to 0-12) at the three-quarter stage.

Kilkenny CBS didn’t give up though as Drennan continued to raise white flags and they reduced the gap to only three points with six minutes remaining.

However, in a frantic finish, CBS Kilkenny couldn’t break through for the goal they required to force extra-time and for only the second time this decade, it won’t be an all-Kilkenny final.

A quick-fire second-half goal from the talented Adrian Mullen put defending champions St. Kieran’s College, on the road to victory over St. Peter’s College in their semi-final.

Thursday's decider will be an eight successive Corn Uí Dhúill decider for the famous Kilkenny school and they will be attempting to make it a three in-a-row of provincial successes.