Currie fires Dublin North to famous Leinster win

DUBLIN NORTH came with a powerful late surge to beat fabled Kilkenny hurling nursery St Kieran’s College at Netwatch Cullen Park yesterday.

Dublin North brought the title back to the capital after firing over five points without reply between the 49th and 60th minutes.

Free-taker Micheál Murphy chipped in with three of his seven frees during this dominant spell, with the lively Billy Ryan and man-of-the-match Sean Currie also contributing from play.

St Kieran’s College looked to have finally found their rhythm when star forward Adrian Mullen edged them ahead with a goal in the 38th minute. But they couldn’t build on that and failed in their four-in-a-row bid.

Aside from Mullen’s 1-2, St Kieran’s were over-reliant on free-taker Eoin Cody for scores, even if his haul of 0-8 ensured they stayed in touch throughout.

With players from several schools north of the Liffey, Dublin North capitalised on their only goal chance in the opening half when Currie latched on to a long delivery and fired to the Kieran’s net after 20 minutes.

DECISIVE

Before that decisive strike, the only highlights of a tentative opening quarter from the combination team were a couple of superb points from cornerforward Cian Derwin.

Despite the influence of Lee Gannon and Kevin Burke on the half-back line for Dublin North, St Kieran’s led 0-4 to 0-2 thanks to a point from Mullen and three dead-ball strikes from Cody.

Mullen, who was seeking his fourth medal at this grade, chipped in with a second point after they conceded the goal, but two wonderful points by star forward Currie and another free by Murphy gave Dublin North five points of breathing space approaching the interval.

Cody (free) and captain Daithi Barron then reduced the deficit to three points (1-7 to 0-7) in first half injury-time.

Early in the second half, Cody floated over two more frees to further reduce deficit and when Mullen then fired home, it appeared as if the Kilkenny school would surge clear to claim a 56th title.

But Dublin North didn’t panic and they finished strongly to claim a deserved and famous victory.