Extra-Time glory for St Kieran's in All-Ireland Colleges Final

St Kieran's are All-Ireland PPS Croke Cup champions for the second successive season and a 25th time in their history after they defeated St Raphael's of Loughrea in a thrilling decider at Croke Park.

The Kilkenny school ended up pulling away in a game that went all the way to extra-time as subs Ciallin Brennan and Bill McDermott put in big displays off the bench.

The Kieran's attack was the basis for their victory as all but one of their starting forwards scored from play with Sean Hunt, Rory Glynn and James Hughes all starring.

The defending champions started the better in what was their ninth final appearnce on the trot and they led 0-3 to 0-0 after only six minutes of play.

Led by Paddy Mac Carthaigh at centre forward, Loughrea gradually came back into the game and they got the game's only goal in the 19th minute when Vince Morgan found the Hill 16 net via the post.

Further points from the midfield pair of Luke McInerney and Cullen Killeen had Kieran's further on the backfoot but efforts from Aaron McEvoy, James Hughes and Sean Bergin levelled the game at half-time (0-10 to 1-7).

It continued to be nip and tuck throughout the second period as Kieran's struggled to fend off the Connacht winners who put in some gallant performances.

A Sean Hunt point in stoppage time looked to have snatched the win for Brian Dowling's team but a Bobby Feeney free with the last puck of normal time ensured another 20 minutes of action.

Loughrea only scored three points throughout the extra-period as Kieran's fitness levels really told with three McEvoy frees keeping them ticking over and as well as the subs impact,  further efforts from Ed Lauhoff and Rory Glynn rounded off another All-Ireland success for the Kilkenny school.

Teams and Scorers

St Kieran's College- Aaron McEvoy (0-8, four frees and one '65), Sean Hunt (0-5), Rory Glynn (0-4), James Hughes (0-3), Ed Lauhoff, Ciallin Brennan (0-2 each), Ed McDermott, Bill McDermott (0-1 each)

St Raphael's Loughrea- Vince Morgan (1-3), Bobby Feeney (0-5, five frees), Paddy MacCarthaigh (0-5), Cullen Killeen (0-2), Oscar O'Gorman, Diarmuid MacCarthaigh, Luke McInerney (0-1 each)

St Kieran's College- Stephen Manogue (James Stephens); Sean Bergin (James Stephens), Evan Murphy (Dicksboro), Timmy Kelly (Bennettsbridge); Cathal Hickey (St Lachtain's), Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan), Tom McPhillips (Dicksboro); Rory Connellan (Thomastown), Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens); James Hughes (Bennettsbridge), Sean Hunt (St Martin's), Tomas Roche (John Lockes); Rory Glynn (Clara), Ed McDermott (James Stephens), Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan).

Subs- Oisin Bateman (James Stephens) for Roche 49 mins, James O'Neill (St Martin's) for E McDermott 50 mins, Ciallin Brennan (Tullaroan) for Hughes 61 mins, Bill McDermott (James Stephens) for Glynn (Blood Sub) 65 mins, Rory Glynn for B McDermott (Blood Sub Reversal) 70 mins, Bill McDermott for McPhillips 72 mins, Sean Deely (James Stephens) for Hickey 78 mins.

St Raphael's Loughrea- Shane Murray; Jason Griffin, Daniel Keane, Gavin Maher; Oscar O'Gorman, Diarmuid MacCarthaigh, Finn Beirne; Luke McInerney, Cullen Killeen; Donnacha Campbell, Paddy MacCarthaigh, Eoghan Mulleady; Vince Morgan, Thomas Stratford, Bobby Feeney.

Subs- Stephen Keane for Stratford 38 mins, Jack Shaughnessy for Mulleady 55 mins, Louis Keary for Griffin 65 mins, Eoghan Mulleady for Feeney 74 mins, Eoin Spellman for Beirne 77 mins.

Referee- John Keenan (Wicklow)