Na Fianna edge Vins in extra-time to secure U21HC ‘A’ title

Na Fianna's under-21 hurlers captured the Dublin U21HC 'A' title when defeating St Vincent's, 3-18 to 1-18, after extra-time in Saturday's exciting decider in O'Toole Park,

A brilliantly taken goal from sub Eoin O'Dea was crucial for the St Mobhi Road side as they finished the stronger in the second period of extra-time.

Padraig Buggy got both Na Fianna's other goals and his personal haul of 2-1 was vital to his team's glory.

The deadball accuracy of Na Fianna's Colin Currie and St Vincent's Conor Burke was central to both sides hopes with Currie finishing with 0-9 (0-7f) while Burke tallied 1-13 (0-10f, 1-0 pen) overall.

The sides finished 2-12 to 1-15 at the end of normal time with two pointed frees from Conor Burke forcing extra time as they trailed late on.

In extra-time Burke and Darach McBride were on target to put Vinnies ahead but three frees from Currie had the sides level again at half-time in extra-time.

O’Dea's goal was crucial then with Dublin senior Donal Burke showing all his class to add two insurance points.

SCORERS– Na Fianna: C Currie 0-9 (0-7f), P Buggy 2-1, D Burke 0-4, E O’Dea 1-0, P Feeney, S Currie 0-2 each. St Vincent’s: C Burke 1-13 (1-0 pen, 0-10f), D McBride 0-3, S Lambe, W Moloney 0-1 each.

NA FIANNA: E Skelly; C Kelly, H Fenlon, N Loftus; K Burke, D Ryan, S Baxter; C Doran, D Bergin; G King, P Feeney, D Burke; C Currie, P Buggy, S Currie. Subs: M Murphy for Fenlon (42), J Tierney for King (49), E O’Dea for S Currie (49), L Stacey for Doran (51), A Buggy for Bergin (60+1), D Lacey for O’Dea (79).

ST VINCENT’S: D de Poire; S Lowry, S McCaw, M Glackin; O Lanigan, R O’Sullivan, J Collins; J Walshe, M O’Keeffe; C Langan, C Burke, S Lambe; D McBride, W Moloney, J Mulcahy. Subs: E Mac Domhnaill for Langan (ht), E O’Neill for Mulcahy (48).

REF: P Smyth (O’Toole’s).