Kilkenny U21 Hurling: Ruthless 'Boro march on to county final

Dicksboro sent a warning sign to near-neighbours James Stephens with a commanding win over Bennettsbridge in Sunday’s U21 last-four showdown.

On a dreary, overcast day where the pitch was greasy, the ‘Boro showed few signs of fallibility with a strong half-back line spearheaded by Timmy Clifford and a dangerous forward line who ruthlessly pounced on ‘Bridge mistakes proving key to their eventual win.

Bennettsbridge supporters were given a grain of hope on the 26th minute as a combination of Bill and James Hughes saw the latter fire the sliotar into the ‘Boro net (1-7 to 1-2) but in truth the city team always had the match under their control.

Dicksboro made a blistering start and led 1-5 to 0-0 after 14 minutes of play. Brian Moore, Matty Kelleher and Sean Keenan all pointing in a golden period.

However, it was Harry Shine’s contribution of 1-1 that perhaps caught both sets of supporters most by surprise.
After a tight, physical opening to the match the game’s first goal came from the most unlikely of situations.

 Harry Shine free from 65 metres dropped into the back of Jack Forristal’s net on the sixth minute, with movement inside the goalkeeper’s defence likely to have unsighted him at a critical moment (1-0 to 0-0). A subsequent free was characteristically slotted over by Shine in a more usual outcome.

As the match hit the midway mark, Bennettsbridge showed some signs of promise but failed to make hay on the scoreboard. But, when their inaugural score did arrive courtesy of Timmy Kelly on the 15th minute, it appeared to spark them into life.

A second point from reliable free taker James Hughes soon followed and despite a brace of frees from Harry Shine there was a notable rise in confidence for the Bridge with 19 minutes played (1-7 to 0-2).

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The Bennettsbridge match finally lit a flame in the 16th minute as good link up play saw Bill Hughes solo run into a promising position finding a nearby James Hughes who sent the ball crashing to the net (1-7 to 1-2).

The teams exchanged a score apiece over the final five minutes and at the break Dicksboro led 1-8 to 1-3.
In the second half though, any signs of a Bennettsbridge revolt were put to bed early on with three early Dicksboro scores from Kevin Moore, Brian Moore and a Harry Shine free (1-11 to 1-3).

James Hughes notched Bennettsbridge’s first point of the half after 40 minutes but just two further scores, both from Hughes placed balls perfectly illustrated the level of dominance Dicksboro had throughout proceedings.

A Dicksboro bilitz where they outscored their opponents by 0-9 to 0-2 showcased why they’re defending champions.

A neat point from Mikey Stynes, neat link-up play from Harry Shine to Timmy Clifford for the centre-back to score and two sweet points from Shine sealed the game as the ‘Boro ran out winners.

Dicksboro will now play James Stephens in the decider on Sunday at 1.30pm in UPMC Nowlan Park.

TEAMS & SCORERS:

Dicksboro - Tom O’Neill’; Johnny Keane, Niall Rowe, Stephen Dermody; Evan Murphy, Timmy Clifford; Donnacadh Hennessy; Kevin Moore, James Carroll; Matty Kelleher, Harry Shine, Mikey Stynes; Nick Doheny, Brian Moore, Sean Keenan. Sub Used: Cillian Hackett for N Doheny (40 mins)

Bennettsbridge - Jack Forristal; Joe Hughes, Kyle Ryan, Eoin O’Connor; Gearoid Kent, Bill Hughes, Myles McGovern; Ivan Kelly, John Doyle; Bill Nolan, Timmy Kelly, James Hughes, Oran Lavery, Paddy Walsh, Jack Campion.

Dicksboro - Harry Shine (1-10, 1-7 f); Kevin Moore (0-3); Brian Moore (0-2); Mikey Stynes, Timmy Clifford, Cillian Hackett (0-1).

Bennettsbridge - James Hughes (1-5, 0-5 f); Timmy Kelly (0-1).

Referee - Eoin Maher (Mullinavat)

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