St Lachtain's seal Leinster last four spot with commanding performance - Kilkenny People Sport

Kilkenny Junior Hurling Champions St Lachtain’s (Freshford) strolled to the easiest of victories on Saturday afternoon in Parnell Park against Dublin opponents Crumlin in the Quarter-Final of the AIB Leinster Junior Club Hurling Championship.

The remarkable statistic from this one-sided contest was that Crumlin actually took the lead in the thirteenth minute of the opening half.

St Lachtain’s landed early points through Liam Hickey and Cathal Hickey, but despite the Freshford side enjoying plenty of possession their shooting was rather wayward in the opening quarter, with the team hitting nine wides during the first half.

The winner’s defence was coping admirably with every Crumlin attack until a long delivery from centre half back Conor Murphy landed close to the St. Lachtain’s goal. The ball bounced off the hand of full forward Adam Doyle into the path of corner forward Sam Caswell who pulled first time on the sliothar past Darren Brennan in the St Lachtain’s goal.

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The Dublin side could not capitalise on that green flag as straight from the puck out Alexander Rafter won possession and after a 40-metre run he laid off the ball to Darragh Maher who scored the first of his two goals.

Five minutes later Darragh Maher scored his second goal. Liam Hickey won possession and laid the ball off to James Maher who found his brother Darragh free on the edge of the square and he not going to miss from that distance.

The half time score did not make for pleasant reading for Crumlin as they trailed St Lachtain’s 2-13 to 1-1 when referee Liam Keenan blew for the interval.

The St Lachtain’s dominance continued straight from the second half throw-in. Cathal O’Leary landed three points in quick succession with sub Alan Rafter adding another after seven minutes.

For the next three minutes Crumlin hit a purple patch landing four points without reply, three of which came from frees.

It did not take St Lachtain’s long to resume control of the game with Cathal O’Leary and the excellent Liam Hickey landing further points.

However, the Freshford side went on to win the game in a canter and there was plenty to admire about the team’s attitude and work rate.

See People Sport this Wednesday for full report.

St. Lachtain’s - Cathal O’Leary (0-9, 0-4 frees & 0-1 ’65); Darragh Maher (2-0); Paddy Killeen (1-1); Liam Hickey (0-4); Alan Rafter (1-1); Cian Dawson (1-0); James Maher (0-2); Brian Kennedy, Cathal Hicke; Alexander Rafter (0-1, each).

Crumlin - Kevin Elliott (0-4, fees); Sam Caswell (1-0); Conor Murphy, Ryan Smith; Adam McGreall (0-1, each).

St Lachtain’s - Darren Brennan; Shane Dawson, Croimhthann Bergin; Simon Rafter, Padraig Donnelly, Brian Kennedy, Cathal Hickey, Brendan Quinn, Mark Donnelly, Alexander Rafter, Pqaddy Killeen; Cathal O’Leary, James Maher, Darragh Maher, Liam Hickey. Subs (Used) – Alan Rafter, Conor Donnelly, John Fitzpatrick, Cian Dawson; Lachtain Kennedy.

Crumlin - Daniel Hanks, Kyle Clare, Kevin Byrne, David Kellett, Philip Burgess, Conor Murphy, Peter Elliott, Darragh Fitzgerald, Conor Foley, Kevin Elliott, Shane Lawlor, Peter Blake, Sam Caswell, Adam McGreall, Adam Doyle. Subs (Used) – Chris Noonan, Owen Cotter, Ryan Smith, Philip Purtell; Adam Power.

Referee – Liam Keenan (Wicklow).

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