Minor hurlers edged out by Cats in Leinster MHC final

Mon, 3rd July 2017

KILKENNY 3-15 DUBLIN 1-17

Goals proved crucial as Kilkenny added another Leinster MHC title to their long roll of honour when defeating the Dubs by four points in Sunday's provincial decider in Croke Park.

The young Dubs suffered a nightmare start with Kilkenny raising the green flag on two occasions in the early moments.

Inside just 30 second Kilkenny dangerman Adrian Mullen fired to the net and before Dublin had the chance to settled themselves Sean Ryan had fired to the net for Kilkenny's second goal.

However, Dublin responded well and the freetaking of Sean Currie help bring his side back into contention and by the 17th minute the counties were level, 0-8 to 2-2.

There was very little between the sides at the interval with the Cats having edged into a 2-7 to 0-10 advantage.

Eight minutes into the second half Ryan found the net for the Cats for the second time to move seven points clear.

But again Dublin refused to buckle with Currie and Liam Murphy keeping the scoreboard ticking over while team captain Davy Keogh drove his team on at every opportunity.

Sub Enda O'Donnell, younger brother of Dublin senior Eoghan, hit a late goal for the Dubs but it was unfortunately of pure consolation value as Dublin now enter the All-Ireland MHC series at the quarter-final stage.

“Conceding those two early goals was huge,” said Dublin manager, Fintan Clandillon, afterwards. “We did get back level after that, but we never led at any stage, and that was significant.

“Their third goal came at a crucial time. And that opened up a big lead. Yet we reacted well again, but when you concede three goals in any game, you are always going to struggle.”

SCORERS - Kilkenny: A Mullen 1-9 (0-4f, 0-1 '65'), S Ryan 2-2, N Brasil, C Heary, E O’Shea, J Ryan 0-1 each. Dublin: S Currie 0-8 (0-6f, 0-1 '65'), D Keogh 0-5 (0-2f), L Murphy 0-3, E ODonnell 1-0, D O Floinn 0-1.

KILKENNY: D Mason; T Ronan, M Carey, D Walsh; J Brennan, C Flynn, J Molloy; E O’Shea, N Brassil; J Roberts, C Heary, J Ryan; D Barron, A Mullen, S Ryan. Subs: N Brennan for Roberts (22); E Cody for Heary (49); J Dowd for O’Shea (58).

DUBLIN: C O’Donoghue; A Dunphy, B McHugh, T Kinnane; E O’Neill, L Walsh, L Gannon; D Keogh, M Murphy; M Grogan, B Coffey, D Ó Floinn; L Murphy, K Desmond, S Currie. Subs: L McDwyer for M Murphy (ht); E O’Donell for Grogan (40); J Byrne for Desmond (49); K Burke for O’Neill (54); T Aherne for Gannon (59).

REF: A Devine (Westmeath).