Round-Up of the weekends Minor Hurling Championship

Trinity Gaels delivered a superb team display when overcoming a battling Fingallians by 1-17 to 1-13 in their Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin Minor ‘B’ Hurling Championship final in Drumnigh on Sunday morning. 

Having won the MFC ‘C’ title a week previously, the victory secured a noteworthy double for the Donaghmede outfit as they clawed their way back after the break having trailed by 1-5 to 0-6 at half-time. 

Fingallians availed of the wind at their backs in that opening-half with 1-1 by Cian Rothwell augmented by four Lachlann Hayward frees and an Oscar Brennan point. 

The hosts wasted little time in overturning their deficit thanks to a trio of unanswered points from Alex Ryan and a Corey Kelly goal maintained their momentum as the contest evolved. 

Despite missing the injured Dublin minor Cathal Barrett, Gaels continued to control matters as Senan Russell clipped over six points with the likes of Trey Hoey, Jack Conroy, Rian Ó Héalaí, Oliver O’Driscoll and Darragh Kinsella all making significant contributions over the hour.   

The influential Hayward continued to keep the Fins scoreboard ticking over from placed balls in the second-half but his efforts and those of Rory McGrath, Eoin McCarthy, Matthew Smith, Conor O’Reilly and Andrew Clark proved in vain by the final whistle. 

The finalists in the ‘A’ decider were confirmed as Lucan Sarsfields and St Jude’s registered contrasting wins against Kilmacud Crokes and Na Fianna respectively. 

In Silver Park, Jack Mills scored ten points, including eight from placed balls, as Lucan pipped Kilmacud by 0-16 to 2-9. 

1-4 from play by the lively Conall Criostóir and a Dara Crean goal ensured the hosts remained in the hunt throughout while Rory Flannery, Connie O’Sullivan, Andy Blanker and Finnian Donohoe also added to the Crokes tally. 

However, the visitors just about deserved their win with Killian Costello, Mills, Michael O’Brien and Charlie Mooney all to the fore while Oscar Brennan also caught the eye with three crucial points. 

The Lucan scoring was completed by Henry Greene, Mooney and Derry Ware as Crokes fell short at the final whistle despite the efforts of goalkeeper Conor Coogan, full-back Rian Robertson, Blanker and Criostóir. 

It proved far more straightforward for St Jude’s across on the all-weather pitch in DCU as they eased past Na Fianna by 1-25 to 2-8. 

The result was never really in doubt as the visitors seized control from the first whistle and their all-round excellence was reflected in a wide range of scorers over the hour. 

Cathal Martin was a regular contributor for St Jude’s, who built up an unassailable lead thanks to further scores from Oisin Gough, James Frisby, Adam Morris, Joe Plunkett, Ross Harlow, Billy Shouldice, Reuben McCormick, Ciaran Fitzgerald and Oisín Costello.    

MHC ‘A’ semi-finals: Kilmacud Crokes 2-9 Lucan Sarsfields 0-16; Na Fianna 2-8 St Jude’s 1-25. 

MHC ‘B’ final: Trinity Gaels 1-17 Fingallians 1-13. 

MHC ‘C’ semi-final: Ballyboden St Enda’s v Ranelagh Gaels OFF. 

MHC ‘D’ semi-finals: Castleknock v Faughs OFF; Raheny 2-16 St Sylvester’s 1-10.