Kilkenny CBS cruise into Leinster senior schools decider

Kilkenny CBS produced a polished display to see off Dublin South Schools as they booked their place in the Leinster PPS Senior Hurling A Corn Ui Dhuill Final for a second successive season.

The Kilkenny city school were dominant for large periods with Zac Scanlon and Anthony Cifford getting goals in either half.

Added to that both Cian Byrne and Patrick Lacey scored freely in attack while there was also good impact off the bench from Sam O'Shea and Zac O'Halloran.

Scanlon's first half goal opened up a five point lead at the break and although Dublin South Schools got within two points when Hugh Egan netted in the 37th minute, it was completely one way trafffic afterwards with CBS outscoring their opponents 1-9 to 0-1 by the time of the full-time whistle.

The combined Dublin outfit only scored once from play in the opening half as they heavily relied on the accuracy from frees by Daniel O'Kelly with the CBS defence proving a tough nut to crack.

Scanlon's well drilled ground shot for goal came at the end of the half but before that Matthew Ruth's men had telling contributions all over the field as Donnchadh Hennessy, Paddy O'Brien, Patrick Lacey and Cian Byrne all scored from play to make it 1-8 to 0-6 at the interval.

Dublin South responded with Egan's goal in the early minutes of the second half but the way Matthew Ruth's CBS side hit back was hugely impressive as they hit scores from all angles as well Anthony Clifford pouncing for their second goal of the game.

It all means that we are set for another all Kilkenny final with St.Kieran's awaiting in the Leinster decider for a game that is expected to be played next week.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny CBS- Patrick Lacey (0-9, 0-5 frees); Cian Byrne (0-4); Zac Scanlon, Anthony Clifford (1-0 each); Sam O'Shea (0-2); Oisin Henderson, Donnchadh Hennessy, Paddy O'Brien, Zak O'Halloran (0-1 each)

Dublin South Schools-Daniel O'Kelly (0-6, 0-5 frees); Hugh Egan (1-0); Darragh Ormsby, Victor Hennessy, Odhran McGuckin (0-1 each)

Kilkenny CBS- Daniel McCormack (O'Loughlin Gaels); Matthew Bolger (St Martins), Oisin Henderson (Dicksboro), Conor Barcoe (Thomastown); Kealan Barcoe (Young Irelands), Josh Dowling (Erin's Own), Patrick Purcell (Barrow Rangers); Donnchadh Hennessy (Dicksboro), Paddy O'Brien (John Lockes); Cian Byrne (O'Loughlin Gaels), Patrick Lacey (Dicksboro), Niall Drennan (Galmoy); Zac Scanlon (James Stephens), Anthony Clifford (Dicksboro), Ollie O'Donovan (John Lockes).

Subs- Sam O'Shea (Dicksboro) for Scanlon, 42 mins; Luke Staunton (De La Salle) for Drennan, 46 mins; Zak O'Halloran (John Lockes) for O'Brien, 52 mins.

Dublin South Schools- Conor Coogan; Conor Quinn, James Neary, Mark Byrne; Tommy Cullen, James Norris, Colm McCabe; Fiachra Codd, Odhran McGuckin; Oscar Brennan, Killian Costello, Daniel O'Kelly; Darragh Ormsby, Cormac Mac Canna, Hugh Egan.

Subs- James Ryan for Cullen, h-t; Victor Hennessy for Brennan, 35 mins; Cian Elliott for McCabe, 40 mins; Cole Condon for Ormsby, 43 mins; Cian Moriarty for Egan, 53 mins.

Referee- Michael Cleere (Laois)

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