Goals prove decisive for Dublin North

DUBLIN NORTH 3-12 CBSKILKENNY 0-18

EARLY goals in each half proved the difference as Dublin North defeated CBS Kilkenny in the Leinster Schools Senior Hurling ‘A’ semi-final at Portlaoise on Saturday.

The combination side got off to the perfect start when twice raising green flags in the opening five minutes through corner forwards Conor Berrigan and Cian Derwin.

CBS Kilkenny were overly reliant on free taker Conor Drennan for scores, nevertheless his haul of eight points in the opening 30 minutes had his side ahead at the break – 0-10 to 2-3.

However, half-time substitute Billy Ryan made an instant impact for Dublin North with their third goal only seconds after the restart, a lead they never relinquished.

Michael Murphy chipped in with long-range frees for the Dublin side and with Sean Currie and Conor Berrigan also on target, they established a six-point lead by the three-quarter stage.

CBS Kilkenny did cut their deficit in half thanks mainly to the accuracy of Drennan but, in a frantic finish, couldn’t break through for the goal they required to force extra-time.

SCORERS – Dublin North: M Murphy 0-6 (4f, 1 ‘65), C Derwin 1-2, C Berrigan, B Ryan 1-1 each, S Currie 0-2. CBS Kilkenny: C Drennan 0-13 (12f), J Sheehan 0-3, C Timmons, S Staunton 0-1 each. DUBLIN NORTH – J Rooney; J Fagan, A Dunphy, T Kinanne; D Phelan, K Burke, C Scully; M Murphy, S Foran; S Clerkin, L Gannon, S Farrelly; C Berrigan, S Currie, C Derwin. Subs: B Ryan for Farrelly, E O’Donnell for Scully, L Foley for Foran. CBS KILKENNY – D McCormack; M Byrne, B Lawlor, M Butler; L Hogan, L Stynes, C Timmons; S Staunton, J Sheehan; O Murphy, C Drennan, C Heary; J Ryan, T Butler, S Kenny. Subs: S Boyd for Kenny, J Dwyer for Hogan.

REF – A Stapleton (Laois).