U20 hurlers: Path to All-Ireland U20HC final

Dublin face Cork in this Saturday's Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U20HC final in Nowlan Park (7.15, Live TG4). Here we look back on their games that have seen them progress to Saturday's final.

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SCORING CHART

Dublin have scored 6-77 and conceded 3-52 in their four games to reach the All-Ireland U20HC final (versus Antrim, Offaly, Wexford and Galway). Fifteen players have contributed to the scoring tally.

Liam Murphy 0-31 (0-20f, 0-2 '65')

Eddie Gibbons 2-6 (1-6f, 1-0pen)

Kevin Desmond 2-4

Micheál Murphy 0-8

Dara Purcell 0-7

Darach McBride 1-4 (0-1sline)

Mark Sweeney 1-2

Lee Gannon 0-4

Luke McDwyer 0-2

Darragh Power 0-2

Tommy Kinnane 0-2

Pádhraic Linehan 0-2

Billy Ryan 0-1

Donal Leavy 0-1

Liam Dunne 0-1

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ROUTE TO ALL-IRELAND U20HC FINAL: Game-By-Game

LEINSTER U20HC FIRST ROUND

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21: Louth Centre of Excellence, Darver

DUBLIN 2-22 ANTRIM 1-8

A clinical second half display saw Dublin's under-20 hurlers cruise to a 17-point victory over Antrim in this Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U20HC first round clash at the Louth Centre of Excellence, Darver.

Dublin held a four-point half-time advantage but once they secured the upperhand in the second half they moved out of sight.

Two early second half points from Micheál Murphy, the second a monster effort, were followed by scores from Liam Murphy and Dara Purcell for Paul O'Brien's side to open up a 1-12 to 1-5 lead by the 37th minute - while in defence Kevin Burke led impressively.

Dublin then went on a scoring surge to see off any hopes of a revival by the Glensmen when hitting 1-10 without reply between the 38th and 57th minute.

Half-time sub Kevin Desmond hit the goal in the 46th minute to add to his two earlier points, the second of these illustrating great accuracy when finding his range from wide on the sideline.

Further scores from Dara Purcell, Luke McDwyer and Liam Murphy had Dublin out of sight when holding a 2-17 to 1-6 cushion entering the concluding ten minutes.

Liam Murphy added his eighth (from play) and then ninth point of the contest when converting a free as Dublin continued to move further clear with scores from Mark Sweeney, Micheál Murphy, his fourth from play, and Dara Purcell, his third point from play, to make it 2-22 to 1-6.

The Saffrons closed out the scoring with the last two points of the night.

In the opening half the counties were level 0-3 each after ten minutes but before the water break Dublin added scores through Darragh Power, Liam Murphy after good play by Darragh Power, and Liam Murphy again when firing over a '65'.

After the water break Dublin keeper Eddie Gibbons drove a penalty low to the corner of the Antrim net, leaving their keeper Tiernan Smith glued to his spot, following a foul on Micheál Murphy to see his side into a 1-6 to 0-3 lead.

By the half-time interval Liam Murphy (free) and Micheál Murphy had embellished the scoring tally for the boys in blue to lead 1-8 to 1-4, Daire Murphy grabbing the Antrim goal in the 30th minute with Seán Elliott providing the assist.

SCORERS - Dublin: L Murphy 0-9 (0-3f, 0-1 '65'), K Desmond 1-2, M Murphy 0-4, D Purcell 0-3, E Gibbons 1-0 (1-0pen), L McDwyer 0-2, D Power, M Sweeney 0-1 each. Antrim: S Elliott 0-6 (0-2f, 0-1 ‘65’), D Murphy 1-0, R McEnteer, P Boyle 0-1 each

DUBLIN: E Gibbons; T Kinnane, A Dunphy, P Dunleavy; E O’Donnell, K Burke, D Leavy; M Sweeney, D Power; D McBride, M Murphy, L McDwyer; D Purcell, B Ryan, L Murphy. Subs: K Desmond for McDywer (30), I O hEithir for Leavy (48), T Aherne for McDwyer (52), A O’Neill for Ryan (52).

ANTRIM: T Smyth; R McCollam, N O’Connor, C McKay; N McCormack, D McCloskey, C McKernan; P Boyle, O Donnelly; D Murphy, A McGrath, S Elliott; C McFadden, D McEnhill, A Bradley. Subs: R McEnteer for Donnelly (29), R Hill for Bradley (42), L Donnelly for McGrath (46), C Hargan for McEnhill (51), T Scally for McCollam (56).

REF: K Brady (Louth).

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LEINSTER U20HC QUARTER-FINAL

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12: St Brendan's Park, Birr

DUBLIN 2-16 OFFALY 0-16

Two goals inside the last ten minutes secured victory for Dublin in this Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U20HC quarter-final at St Brendan’s Park, Birr.

A Brian Duignan point had brought Offaly level with eight minutes to go for the first time since the start, after Dublin had led by five points inside the opening 14 minutes, but crucially a Darach McBride goal a minute later was the first of two vital scores for Paul O’Brien’s men.

McBride was in the right spot when the sliotar emerged from a ruck and he made no mistake when rifling to the Offaly net.

Then in the 57th minute sub Kevin Desmond finished off a superb breakaway move by the Dubs to seal victory, though there was four minutes added time to be played.

Liam Murphy followed up on Dublin’s second goal with a free as Dublin moved 2-15 to 0-15 clear and they advanced to face Wexford in the provincial semi-final.

Offaly finished the game with 14 men after their freetaker and scorer of 0-10 (0-7f, 0-2 '65') Cathal Kiely was dismissed in second half injury-time (second yellow card).

Dublin led 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time after a well contested opening 30 minutes with the Dublin defence led by centre-back Kevin Burke doing well at the heart of the Dubs rearguard.

By the 40th minute Dublin were 0-12 to 0-9 ahead following two fine scores from Micheál Murphy but the freetaking of Cathal Kiely kept Offaly in contact at all stages.

In the first half the Dubs began the more impressive with early points from Billy Ryan and a fine Tommy Kinnane score, after good build-up play by the corner-back with Iain O hEithir.

A great long-range point from Tommy Kinnane, again, in the seventh minute had Dublin three points to the good as the hosts spurned some early point efforts.

By the water break Dublin were 0-6 to 0-1 clear after goalkeeper Eddie Gibbons converted the first of his frees, Darach McBride had converted a sideline and Liam Murphy put over a close range free.

However, Offaly raised their game after the water break with points from Kevin McDermott, Cathal Kiely (free) and corner-back Rory Carty from 70 metres but the wide count was Offaly seven, Dublin one at this stage and it was to have a bearing on the final outcome.

Two Liam Murphy frees broke Offaly’s chain of scores to make it 0-8 to 0-4 after 25 minutes.

Before the break Cathal Kiely had converted two frees and a ‘65’ for the Faithful County with Eddie Gibbons hitting another long-range free for Dublin.

SCORERS - Dublin: L Murphy 0-5 (5f), D McBride 1-1 (0-1 sideline), E Gibbons 0-3 (0-3f), K Desmond 1-0, M Murphy, T Kinnane 0-2 each, B Ryan, D Power, P Linehan 0-1 each. Offaly: C Kiely 0-10 (0-7f, 0-2 65), K Sampson, K McDermott, R Carty, C Donoghue, C O’Meara, B Duignan 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Gibbons; T Kinnane, A Dunphy, B Sheehy; I Ó hEithir, K Burke, E O’Donnell; D Power, M Sweeney; D McBride, M Murphy; L McDwyer; D Purcell, B Ryan, L Murphy. Subs: K Desmond for Purcell (36), P Linehan for Ryan (47), D Leavy for Power (54), M Conroy for O’Donnell (58), L Dunne for McDwyer (59).

OFFALY: E Cleary; R Carty, C Butler, D Maher; R Ravenhill, P Cantwell, J Screeney; L Nolan, K McDermott; K Sampson, C Donoghue, B Duignan; C O’Meara, C Kiely, C Flynn. Subs: L Kavanagh for Donoghue (47), N Lyons for Flynn (55), M Watkins for O’Meara (55), C Brady for Duignan (58).

REF: P Murphy (Carlow).

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LEINSTER U20HC SEMI-FINAL

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18: Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow

DUBLIN 1-19 WEXFORD 1-10

A storming opening to the second half put Dublin on the road to victory in this Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U20HC semi-final at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow.

The Dubs hit 1-5 without reply in the opening 11 minutes of the second period to open up a 1-13 to 0-7 advantage and their work-rate to the finish ensured they advanced to face Galway in the provincial decider.

Dublin’s goal in the 41st minute came from the unlikeliest of sources when goalkeeper Eddie Gibbons’ long-range free was mishandled to the net by Wexford keeper James Lawlor.

It came at the end of a string of five fine Dublin points as they upped their physicality and work-rate from the first half to put themselves in the driving seat.

Wexford keeper Lawlor had a busy resumption to the second half as he made two fine saves, parrying the second of those, Darach McBride’s effort over for a point.

Sub Kevin Desmond made a quick impact with a fine point in the 34th minute after being picked out by an accurate crossfield pass from top-scorer Liam Murphy.

Keeper Gibbons then struck the first of his 1-2 from deadball from halfway to put the Paul O’Brien-managed side 0-11 to 0-7 up.

Kevin Desmond added a second point, a fine effort from wide on the left wing following good play by Alex O’Neill.

Then Mark Sweeney struck one of the best points of the night, from the left wing sideline following good work by Enda O’Donnell, younger brother of Dublin senior Eoghan.

By the second half water break Dublin were 1-14 to 0-9 clear before Liam Murphy clipped over a superb point from the left sideline after great interplay by his team-mates.

Despite a well-worked Wexford goal, finished by sub Glen Murphy Butler, Dublin did not lose their concentration and responded with points from Gibbons (free), Liam Dunne and Pádhraic Linehan (both who had been introduced as subs) and a Murphy free to run out nine-point victors.

Dublin led by the minimum at half-time, 0-8 to 0-7, with both teams guilty of some missed opportunities.

Liam Murphy contributed seven of Dublin’s scores, including three frees and a ‘65’, with Donal Leavy grabbing the other score.

Donal Leavy’s point was a brilliant 65-metre effort on the run just after the first water break to bring the sides level 0-4 after 18 minutes.

Liam Murphy had opened Dublin’s scoring from play after his initial ‘65’ dropped short but full-forward Alex O’Neill forced Wexford keeper James Lawlor into a poor clearance from which Murphy benefitted.

Dublin’s defence was doing well with Tommy Kinnane making one brilliantly timed intervention with the Wexford forwards looking dangerous in the 15th minute.

The Dubs had a goal opportunity in the 23rd minute after Alex O’Neill had placed Billy Ryan close to goal, however, his effort was blocked out for a ‘65’ by Joe Conroy which Liam Murphy converted.

The influential Liam Murphy hit three further points before the half-time interval, including two frees.

SCORERS – Dublin: L Murphy 0-10 (0-5f, 0-1 ‘65’), E Gibbons 1-2 (1-2f), K Desmond 0-2, D Leavy, D McBride, M Sweeney, L Dunne, P Linehan 0-1 each. Wexford: R Bannville 0-6 (0-4f), G Murphy Butler 1-0, S O’Connor 0-2, C Mahoney, D Codd 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Gibbons; T Kinnane, A Dunphy, I O hEithir; E O’Donnell, K Burke, D Leavy; M Sweeney, D Power; D McBride, M Murphy, L McDwyer; B Ryan, A O’Neill, L Murphy. Subs: K Desmond for Murphy (ht), L Dunne for Ryan (44), P Linehan for Power (55), C Foley for O’Neill (56), P Christie for O hEithir (59).

WEXFORD: J Lawlor; C Molloy, S Audsley, J Conroy; D Codd, N Murphy, D Kehoe; C Mahoney, J Shiel; L Kavanagh, C Clancy, R Lawlor; S O’Connor, R Banville, J Byrne. Subs: G Murphy Butler for Byrne (ht), AJ Redmond for Shiel (37), D Furlong for Kavanagh (50), M Murphy for Mahoney (50), C Cooney for R Lawlor (62).

REF: S Cleere (Kilkenny).

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LEINSTER U20HC FINAL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23: O'Connor Park, Tullamore

DUBLIN 1-20 GALWAY 1-18

All good things come to those who wait. Dublin were crowned Leinster U20 hurling champions following this thrilling Bord Gáis Energy provincial decider at O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

The competition in terms of games began for these young players last October but owing to Covid lockdowns and restrictions the Leinster decider was delayed until this week.

It was well worth the wait as Dublin captured the Leinster title (Seán Robbins Cup) at this grade for the seventh time and on the first occasion since 2016.

They now go in pursuit of the county's historic first All-Ireland crown (Cross of Cashel) when they face Cork in the final on the weekend of July 10/11.

After Wednesday night's heroics Dublin's man-of-the-match Lee Gannon sounded a determined note.

“There is a first time for everything. That’s the plan. We will enjoy this one, reassess and start planning for Cork. It was an unbelievable win,” said the Whitehall Colmcille man who tallied four excellent points from play in a highly influential showing.

But Dublin had heroes who stood up when required throughout the encounter on all lines of the field and it was their will to win and all-round work-rate that saw them come with a winning surge in the last quarter.

Dublin trailed by two points, 1-13 to 1-15, entering the concluding quarter but brilliant points from Lee Gannon (two) and also Dara Purcell (two) put Paul O'Brien's side on the road to victory.

The freetaking for Liam Murphy was very important and the Cuala man converted two deadballs, two from long-range, inside the last ten minutes plus added time to seal victory.

Dublin got impact off the bench also with subs Luke McDwyer and Ciarán Foley injecting pace into the Dublin attack to combine with Micheál Murphy in the 62nd minute with Foley being fouled for Liam Murphy to fire over and put Dublin ahead 1-19 to 1-17 - it was a lead they didn't surrender.

Two minutes earlier Liam Murphy had driven over from over 65 metres after Dublin's first-half goal-scorer Mark Sweeney had been fouled.

In the opening half the accuracy of Mark Kennedy gave Galway an early advantage before Mark Sweeney's superb goal when he raced through the heart of the Galway defence before rifling a low shot to the net for Dublin to lead 1-2 to 0-3 after 10 minutes.

By the first water stoppage Dublin were 1-4 to 0-6 clear with points on the restart from Liam Murphy, a free from halfway, and Lee Gannon following good play by Micheál Murphy extending their advantage.

However, Galway struck back with a well executed John Cooney goal after he did well to field a difficult diagonal ball.

Dublin, though, finished the half on a high with a massive score from Darach McBride, after Galway had amassed the three previous scores, a Liam Murphy free and huge free from Dublin keeper Eddie Gibbons.

The Dublin goalkeeper was to have an even bigger contribution in the second half when he made a great save to deny Galway full-forward John Fleming from close range with the sides on level terms, 1-13 each.

After leading 1-11 to 1-8 at half-time Galway restarted the better with points from John Fleming, Donal O'Shea (free) and Mark Kennedy but crucially Dublin showed true grit to reply through Darach McBride and Micheál Murphy, a beautifully struck point on the turn over his shoulder from wide on the right.

But points from Donal O'Shea (two frees) had Galway in pole position at the second water stoppage, 1-15 to 1-13, but with it all to play for.

In the concluding quarter Dublin proved they were worthy provincial champions by taking the game to their opponents.

The brace for points each from Lee Gannon and Dara Purcell, showing terrific snapshot accuracy, put Dublin on their way.

The Dubs almost got in for a second goal in the 51st minute but Liam Murphy had the sliotar flicked away by a brilliantly timed intervention from TJ Brennan.

Dublin weren't going to be foiled overall as they kept working to the finish to secure victory.

SCORERS – Dublin: L Murphy 0-7 (0-7f), D Purcell, L Gannon 0-4 each, M Sweeney 1-0, M Murphy, D McBride 0-2 each, E Gibbons 0-1 (0-1f). Galway: D O’Shea 0-8 (0-6f, 0-1 65), M Kennedy 0-6, J Cooney 1-0, D Shaughnessy, I McGlynn, J Fleming, F McDonagh 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Gibbons; T Kinnane, A Dunphy, A Murphy; E O’Donnell, K Burke, I Ó Heither; M Sweeney, D Power; D McBride, M Murphy, L Gannon; D Purcell, K Desmond, L Murphy. Subs: M Conroy for Kinnane (33), D Leavy for Ó Heither (45), L McDwyer for O’Donnell (50), C Foley for Desmond (52), B Ryan for Power (60+4).

GALWAY: D Fahy; E Lawless, TJ Brennan, J O’Donoghue; D Kilcommins, C Flaherty, D Shaughnessy; A Brett, I McGlynn; C Walsh, M Kennedy, S Neary; J Cooney, J Fleming, D O’Shea. Subs: F McDonagh for Brett (40), S McDonagh for Cooney (48), O Salmon for O’Donoghue (58).

REF: D Hughes (Kilkenny).