Keaney drives senior hurlers to victory

Sun, 15th June 2014

DUBLIN 0-22 WEXFORD 1-14

A Conal Keaney-inspired Dublin kept their dreams of retaining the Bob O'Keeffe Cup alive with this Leinster SHC semi-final victory at Wexford Park on Saturday night.

Man of the match Keaney scored five points from play as well as putting in a huge shift in all aspects of the game.

His was well assisted up from by Alan McCrabbe whose nine points, including six frees, were central to Dublin's success on a night when they took charge of the game early in the second half and powered on to victory.

Dublin led 0-11 to 1-6 at the break but the Slaneysiders got on level terms seven minutes into the second half.

It was at this juncture that Dublin needed to show their experience and leadership and they did with Keaney leading the way to victory with wing-back Michael Carton firing over two long-range points before the finish.

The only goal of the night arrived in the eighth minute when Wexford full-foward Conor McDonald won possession in the air but his shot was parried by keeper Alan Nolan but centre-forward Podge Doran was following up to send the rebound to the net.

McDonald impressed early on and was the focus of the Wexford attack, however, Paul Schutte significantly curbed his influence after being handed the difficult man-marking duties.

Doran almost added a second later but Nolan did very well as he bravely advanced to turn his shot out for a '65'.

Following Doran's goal a Paul Morris free moved Wexford three points ahead but Dublin responded with points from Paul Ryan, a McCrabbe free and fine Colm Cronin score to level matters, 0-8 to 1-5.

Dublin now had the momentum and tagged on three points to lead by two at the break, 0-11 to 1-6.

Dublin forward Mark Schutte is an injury concern ahead of the Leinster SHC final (v Galway or Kilkenny) after being forced off through injury in the early minutes of the game.

SCORERS - Dublin:

A McCrabbe 0-9 (0-6f), C Keaney 0-5, P Ryan 0-3, M Carton 0-2, J Boland, C Cronin, D Treacy 0-1 each. Wexford: P Morris 0-6 (0-4f, 0-2 '65'), P Doran 1-1, C McDonald, L Og McGovern 0-2 each, J Guiney, L Chin, D O'Keeffe 0-1 each.

DUBLIN Players:

A Nolan; S Hiney, P Kelly, P Schutte; S Durkin, L Rushe, M Carton; J Boland, J McCaffrey; A McCrabbe, R O'Dwyer, C Cronin; D O'Callaghan, C Keaney, M Schutte. Subs: P Ryan for M Schutte (inj 5), N McMorrow for O'Dwyer (43), C McCormack for Boland (61), D Treacy 7 for O'Callaghan (66).

WEXFORD Players:

M Fanning; L Ryan, M O'Hanlon, K Rossiter; L Chin, A Shore, C Kenny, D O'Keeffe, H Kehoe; P Morris, P Doran, L Og McGovern; R Jacob, C McDonald, J Guiney. Subs: G Sinnott for Guiney (45), D Redmond for O'Keeffe (51), E Moore 6 for Kehoe (56), I Byrne 6 for Jacob (58).