Kieran’s too strong
Counsel come up short in ‘A’ decider
ST. KIERAN’S 2-11 GOOD COUNSEL 1-6
ANOTHER TALENTED St. Kieran’s side proved too strong for Good Counsel College in the Top Oil Leinster Post-Primary Schools Juvenile hurling ‘A’ final in Thomastown.
The Kilkenny kingpins know how to get it done at most levels, so the New Ross boys were under no illusions heading into this contest.
In fairness to the underdogs, they came out of the blocks fast against the breeze but couldn’t register the scores their play deserved.
At the other end St. Kieran’s didn’t need two invitations to take their scores. Efficiency clearly won the day for the champions as they picked off some lovely points on their way to yet another Dr. Barry Cup.
A couple of dead-balls from the ever-reliable Cian Byrne had Counsel level at 0-2 each after ten minutes.
Pádraig Foley edged St. Kieran’s ahead but it was Jack Doyle’s long-range strike that ended up in the Good Counsel net that really hurt the New Ross lads at the end of the opening quarter.
The ferocity that Good Counsel had at the start of the game slowly evaporated and they failed to score in the second quarter. They defended pretty well but their opponents were happy to nab the odd point and eased 1-7 to 0-2 ahead by the interval.
With the breeze prodiving more aid after half-time, Good Counsel needed to use the elements and claw their way back into the game. However, when J.P. Gamble’s short attempt bounced into the path of dangerman Foley, he made no mistake in swatting home from close range.
Horeswood clubman Conor Foley scored two lovely points for Good Counsel but they struggled to find that critical goal, and St. Kieran’s were able to ease their way into a 2-10 to 0-4 lead after 50 minutes.
One strength Good Counsel never lose is their never-say-die attitude. Luke Byrne-Doyle whipped home a breaking ball from Emmet Cullen’s free for a consolation goal.
As time ticked away, Cian Byrne and Cullen added dead-balls to put a much more realistic reflection of the game on the scoreboard. Good Counsel: Michael Kirwan; Eoin O’Brien, Simon Kennedy, Barry Hassey; Owen Lennon (capt.), Emmet Cullen (0-1 ‘65), Cathal Cummins; Rory Flanagan, Killian Griffin; Coleman O’Sullivan, Jamie Power, Cian Byrne (0-3 frees); Conor Foley (0-2), Jack Mullally, Luke Byrne-Doyle (10). Subs. (not used) - Philip Roche, Jack Redmond, Donal Murphy, Mikey Sheehy, Seán Kinsella, Jason Murphy, Michael Dundon, Brian O’Shea, George O’Connor, Billy Reid, Kevin Wall, Conor Twomey, James Rossiter, Ben McPhillips, Darragh McPhillips, Colm Fitzgerald, Gary Porter.
St. Kieran’s: Dan Cahill; Daniel Murphy, Eoin Delahunty, Patrick Brennan; Andy Hickey, Conor Fitzpatrick, Ciarán Rice; Peter McDonald (capt., 0-3), J.P. Gamble; Jack Doyle (11), Vincent O’Grady, Harry Murphy; Ciarán Keher-Murtagh (0-2), Pádraig Foley (1-5, 0-5 frees), Denis Walsh. Sub. - Eoin Crowley for H. Murphy (31).
Referee: Pat Moran (Laois).