Round-Up of PTSB Dublin Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

The PTSB Dublin Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship commenced on Saturday afternoon with Ballinteer St John’s booking their place in the semi-finals after their thrilling 4-33 to 7-23 extra-time victory over Cuala at Shanganagh Park. 

In a match that will live long in the memory, Ballinteer came back from the dead on a number of occasions before eventually getting over the line with Tommy Cullen playing the match-winning role as he finished the absorbing contest with 0-20 to his name. 

Corner-forward Jack Long chipped in with 2-2 for the visitors, who salvaged extra-time through a goal in the dying seconds from Cillian Gibbons, to leave the teams deadlocked at 6-15 to 3-24 after sixty minutes.    

Substitute Jack Meagher added 1-2 off the bench while Jack Byrne (0-3), Dylan Bannan (0-2), Max Caulwell (0-2) and Conor Quinn (0-2) all chipped in with vital scores for the winners.

Cuala will wonder how they didn’t book their semi-final spot, especially given they managed four goals in the opening half through George O’Toole, Joseph McDonough (2) and Conor Smith to lead by 4-8 to 1-15 at the interval. 

Fionn Lowry and Callum Dee raised further green flags for the Dalkey outfit upon the restart and while McDonough added a third goal in extra-time, his efforts and those of Marc Grant and Loughlin Sheehan proved in vain by the final whistle.  

Scores were similarly abundant in Silver Park as Lucan Sarsfields eased into the last four with a comprehensive 8-18 to 3-10 win against an admittedly weakened Kilmacud Crokes. 

With the hosts deprived the services of their senior hurlers, Lucan took full advantage with both Cathal Kennedy and Killian Costello leading the way with influential displays in defence. 

Dual player Senan Bolger pounced for a hat-trick of goals as the visitors pulled away by the final whistle thanks to a brace of Davy Mulqueen goals, 1-3 by Sam Curran and a three-point cameo from lively substitute Michael Lynch. 

The only home win of the quarter-finals arrived at Páirc Naomh Uinsionn as St Vincent’s got the better of Na Fianna by 2-26 to 1-21. 

There was little to separate the teams throughout with Ryan Murphy of St Vincent’s and Joe Kavanagh from Na Fianna trading early scores while Bobby Peel kept the home scoreboard ticking over in the first-half. 

The visitors were well served by both Will Wheatley and Darragh Meagher but the home defence was largely resolute through the efforts of Dan Dunne and Leo Sweeney. 

With a semi-final spot up for grabs, Vinnies made a decisive move in the final quarter as Paul Reynolds Hand landed some crucial scores to see his side home. 

There were few scores but plenty of drama in the remaining quarter-final as Ballyboden St Enda’s edged local rivals St Jude’s by 1-13 to 0-15 in Tymon Park.

The visitors fell behind early but a goal before the break left them trailing by just 0-10 to 1-6 and they tagged on scores at crucial times to book a semi-final clash against St Vincent’s. 

PTSB U21 ‘A’ HC quarter-finals: St Vincent’s 2-26 Na Fianna 1-21; Cuala 7-23 Ballinteer St John’s 4-33 AET; Kilmacud Crokes 3-10 Lucan Sarsfields 8-18; St Jude’s 0-15 Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-13.