Dublin North crowned Leinster Schools ‘A’ champions for first time

DUBLIN NORTH 1-14 ST KIERAN’S, KILKENNY 1-11

Dublin North are Top Oil Leinster PP Schools Leinster SHC ‘A’ champions for the first time when they finish on a high with a crucial scoring surge to defeat Kilkenny’s St Kieran’s at Netwatch Cullen Park on Thursday.

Despite their victory the combined Dublin side don’t go forward to fly the provincial flag in the All-Ireland Series – owing to rule for combined teams - and Kieran’s now progress as Leinster’s representatives.

The Kilkenny hurling academy led by two points entering the concluding quarter 1-11 to 1-9 but Dublin North reeled off five unanswered points to secure victory.

Kieran’s were 0-4 to 0-3 in front after 20 minutes when North Dublin’s full-forward Seán Currie fired clinically to the net.

Micheál Murphy, was excellent from deadball and by the break Paul O’Brien’s troops led 1-7 to 0-7 with Andrew Dunphy and Kevin Burke, younger brother of Dublin senior Donal, doing well at the back.

St Kieran’s started the second half well with Adrian Mullen’s 38th minute goal nosing the Cats into a 1-9 to 1-8 lead and with less then and with 15 minutes remaining a Eoin Cody free extended that lead, 1-11 to 1-9.

However, it was Dublin North took control until the final whistle with Murphy (three frees), sub Billy Ryan and Currie all on target to capture Corn Ui Dhuill.

SCORERS - Dublin North: M Murphy 0-7 (0-7f), S Currie 1-3, C Derwin 0-2, B Ryan, C Berrigan 0-1 each. St Kieran’s, Kilkenny: E Cody 0-8 (0-7f, 0-1 ‘65’), A Mullen 1-2, D Barron 0-1.

DUBLIN NORTH: Josh Rooney (Nh Barróg); Jack Fagan (Raheny), Andrew Dunphy (St Brigid’s), Tommy Kinnane (Nh Mearnóg); David Phelan (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh), Kevin Burke (Na Fianna), Conor Scully (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh); Micheál Murphy (Na Fianna), Seán Foran (Whitehall Colmcille); Seán Clerkin (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh), Lee Gannon (Whitehall Colmcille), Seán Farrelly (Raheny); Conor Berrigan (Erin’s Isle), Seán Currie (Na Fianna), Cian Derwin (Craobh Chiaráin). Subs: Liam Dunne (Raheny) for Clerkin (ht), Enda O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille) for Scully (ht), Clerkin for Dunne (49), Billy Ryan (Craobh Chiaráin) for Foran (54).

ST KIERAN’S: Dean Mason (Ballyhale Shamrocks); Tommy Ronan (Graigue-Ballycallan), Conor Murphy (Bennetsbridge), Mark Nolan (Dicksboro); Diarmuid Phelan (Danesfort), Jesse Roberts (Graigue-Ballycallan), Luke Murphy (James Stephens); Killian Egan (Graigue-Ballycallan), Eoin O’Shea (O’Loughlin Gaels), Ian Walsh (Dunnamaggin), Jamie Young (O’Loughlin Gaels), Adrian Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks); Daithí Barron (Thomastown), David O’Carroll (Lisdowney), Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks). Subs: Ciarán Hogan (Graigue-Ballycallan) for Young (34), Eoghan Moylan (Dicksboro) for O’Shea (41), George Murphy (Rower-Inistioge) for O’Carroll (41), David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge) for Egan (58), Jack Nolan (St Martin’s) for Murphy (63).

REF: D Hughes (Carlow).