Disappointment for Minor Hurlers in Leinster Semi-final

DUBLIN 1-20 

KILKENNY 2-18

Goals in either half from Joe Dowling and Ruairí Power proved telling as Kilkenny got the better of a battling Dublin by the slimmest of margins in their Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship semi-final at a sunny and blustery Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon. 

It was Kilkenny that led by 1-10 to 0-11 at the break with a 7th minute penalty from Dowling the pivotal score of an entertaining and high-quality half. 

The quality never wavered after the break and the visitors landed a decisive blow as Ruairí Power netted deep into added time with Richie Hession’s goal from a free with the last puck of the game of mere consolation by the final whistle. 

The hosts started on the front foot through a 2nd minute point from Henry Greene and they doubled their lead soon after thanks to Hession. 

A second Greene point was just reward for Dublin’s bright start but the visitors gradually settled through points in quick succession by Matthew Corr and Dowling. 

Kilkenny edged in front in the 7th minute as James Kavanagh was upended close to goal by Dara Stynes and Dowling cracked the resultant penalty beyond the home netminder. 

The scores continued to come freely with Corr and Seán Gavingan trading points while a Corey Kelly point saw Dublin back to within a point by the 13th minute. 

Dowling and Hession exchanged frees either side of the first quarter mark and while Jack Ledwidge brought the hosts level in the 17th minute, the influential Dowling continued to impress with three further scores. 

The contest remained delicately poised as a brace of Hession frees kept Dublin in touch and a superb Greene score added further momentum to the home challenge. 

However, it was the hosts that completed the scoring at the end of a thrilling half with another Dowling free edging the Cats two points clear by the turnaround.

An inspirational score by Tommy Dillon halved Dublin’s deficit within two minutes of the restart with Hession’s fifth free of the match restoring parity by the 35th minute. 

Further points by Brian Farrell and Hession saw the hosts regain the lead but Kilkenny continued to threaten as they pushed two points clear by the 48th minute following a superb brace by Jack Bolger. 

Evan Forde and Hession replied for the Dubs but with injury time approaching, the Cats pushed on through points from Kavanagh and Dowling before Power raced through to leave Stynes helpless from close range. 

Facing a five-point deficit, Dublin refused to buckle as Hession fired 1-1 from placed balls in an instant but time ran out on their comeback hopes as Kilkenny claimed the final berth. 

Scorers – Dublin: R Hession 1-11 (1-8f); H Greene 0-3; T Dillon, C Kelly, S Gavigan, J Ledwidge, B Farrell, E Forde 0-1 apiece. Kilkenny: J Dowling 1-8 (1-0pen, 0-5f); R Power 1-2; M Corr 0-3; J Bolger 0-2; O Phelan, J Kavanagh, J Walsh 0-1 apiece. 

Dublin: D Stynes; P Cashin, C Nevin, F Reville; T Dillon, J O’Keeffe, D Ware; P Batten, C Kelly; S Gavigan, H Greene, J Ledwidge; D Ward, B Farrell, R Hession. Subs: H Doyle for Dillon (40), E Forde for Gavigan (50), J Davy for Gavigan (50), M Dempsey for Ward (57), S Russell for Batten (59).  

Kilkenny: E O’Gorman; M Meany, S Kavanagh, S Corcoran; O Phelan, J Treacy, P Grace; J Bolger, R Lacey; J Dowling, C O’Neill Pembroke, M Corr; R Power, B Walsh, J Kavanagh. Subs: J Walsh for Lacey (38), G McHugh for O’Neill Pembroke (59), D Lawlor for Corr (63).  

Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare).