U20 hurlers progress to Leinster final

LEINSTER U20HC SEMI-FINAL

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 on Friday night.

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 early in the new year (Sunday, January 3).

Dublin’s goal in the 41^st 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, Darragh McBride’s effort over for a point.

Sub Kevin Desmond made a quick impact with a fine point in the 34^th 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 15^th minute.

The Dubs had a goal opportunity in the 23^rd 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).