Kilkenny come out on top in entertaining Under 19 Hurling League Final

Kilkenny claimed victory in the Under 19 Hurling Development League when having two points to spare over a gallant Dublin side in the final at UPMC Nowlan Park earlier this evening.

A rather fortuante late goal from Cian Donnelly where Dublin stopper John Mooney attempted to bat the sliotar to the ground after denying a point and could only watch on as the ball crept over his goaline proved to be the difference as Matthew Ruth's team edged a hugely entertaining affair.

Kilkenny led for long periods of the contest but they could never fully shake off their opponents with Oscar Brennan and Jack Kennedy contributing three goals between them on the night and it was only when Donnelly backed up his goal with another point in stoppage time that the Cats settled the result in their favour.

It was an end to end game throughout and helped by Dicksboro's Patrick Lacey and a big impact from play by John Fitzpatrick, Robbie Doherty and Louis Ragget, the home side raced into an early 0-6 to 0-1 advantage.

Dublin kept pugging away though and they were very much back in the melting pot when Oscar Brennan netted their opening goal in the 22nd minute.

A Gearoid Flannery free then levelled up matters before Tommy Cullen gave them the lead for the first time but Kilkenny still maintained the edge by the interval with Sam Hayes and Patrick Lacey enabling the Cats to lead by one (0-13 to 1-9).

Early second half points from Lacey, Fitzpatrick and Sam Deely threatened to see Kilkenny go clear but again Dublin's goal threat came to the fore Oscar Brennan and Jack Kennedy both scoring in a short period and it resulted in a hectic final quarter of action.

Trailing by four in the 47th minute, Kilkenny looked in some bother but there was never any sense of panic and five points on the spin through a trio of efforts by Lacey as well as Robbie Doherty and sub Jason Cody left the Cats in front and while Dublin quickly hit back quickly, there was still a kick in the Noresiders locker.

Cian Donnelly's goal only added to the momentum and while it got close throughout the three minutes of stoppage time, the Cats held on to win the title for a second successive season.

Teams and Scorers

Kilkenny: Patrick Lacey (0-12, 7fs); Cian Donnelly (1-1); John Fitzpatrick (0-4); Robbie Doherty (0-2); Louis Raggett, Jason Cody, Sam Hayes, Sean Deely, Darragh Coverdale (0-1 each)

Dublin: Oscar Brennan (2-2); Jack Kennedy (1-2, 2fs); Gearoid Flannery (0-5, 4fs); Cathal Barrett (0-3); Lorcain Doolin, Joe Barker, Tommy Cullen, Ryan Murphy (0-1 each)

Kilkenny: Conor O'Sullivan (Erin's Own); Dara Behan (James Stephens), Conor Brophy (Erin's Own), Bill O'Shea (Dicksboro); Sam Hayes (Danesfort), David Barcoe (Clara), Sean Deely (James Stephens); Anthony Clifford (Dicksboro), Jim Conlon (Young Irelands); Louis Raggett (Dicksboro), Patrick Lacey (Dicksboro), Darragh Coverdale (Danesfort); Stephen Kinsella (Graignamanagh), John Fitzpatrick (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Robbie Doherty (Mooncoin).

Subs: Jason Cody (Glenmore) for Kinsella h-t; Michael Lynch (John Lockes) for Hayes, 37 mins; Cian Donnelly (St Lachtain's) for Conlon, 46 mins.

Dublin: John Mooney; Jamie Mahon, Joe Barker, Colm McCabe; Tommy Cullen, Liam Cooney, James Neary; Eoghan Brennan, Michael Tierney; Gearoid Flannery, Lorcain Doolin, Cathal Barrett; Fionn Daly, Jack Kennedy, Oscar Brennan.

Subs: Ryan Murphy for Flannery, 47 mins; Darragh Meagher for Doolin, 50 mins.

Referee: David Hughes (Barrow Rangers)