Paddy Mullen Tournament in Kilkenny produces 'feast of quality hurling'

The 31st running of the renowned Paddy Mullen U-17 hurling tournament was completed in blazing sunshine - except for a brief thunderstorm - on Sunday afternoon.

As usual, it produced a feast of quality hurling skills on perfect playing surfaces at Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain.

New hurling monument erected in Kilkenny

Club teams from six counties tested their skills in a highly competitive pre championship tournament with Wexford club, Oulart The Ballagh eventually emerging deserved first time winners.

In the cup final, they signaled their intentions early on hitting the James Stephens net twice in the first five minutes for a 2-01 to 0-02 lead.

The shaken home team tried valiantly to counter their opponents but the superior Wexford lads kept them at bay with some power packed hurling and point scoring to lead 2-07 to 0-08 at half time.

Oulart continued their grip on the game throughout the 2nd half and eventually ran out deserved 3-11 to 0-10 winners of the Paddy Mullen Cup Final.

The Shield final was fought out between Ballyboden St Enda's (Dublin) and Glen Rovers (Cork) with the Dublin club holding out against a late scoring surge by the famous Cork club for a 1-15 to 2-09 victory.

At the presentation, chairman, Aodan O Ruairc congratulated the winners and paid tribute to Theresa Mullen and her extended family for their dedication and commitment to the excellently run tournament in memory of the late Paddy Mullen, first run in 1991, an unbroken run of 31 years except for the Covid interlude.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Liam Mullen thanked the club, the referees and the organising committee headed by PRO, Val Malone for their cooperation with the organisation of the highly valued tournament.