Dublin U19 Hurlers Beat the Cats in the “Lions Den” to win Leinster League!
Kilkenny 3-16 Dublin 3-21.
(Match Report by Diarmuid Coogan)
On Wednesday 15th April, the Dublin U19 Hurlers overcame all the odds to beat a fancied Kilkenny team in Nowlan Park in the Leinster League Final.
Despite having a strong wind advantage in the 1st half, the Dubs were slow to get going and Kilkenny led by 0-4 to 0 after 5 minutes, Dean Simpson of Commercials eventually settling Dubs’ nerves with a free after 6 minutes.
Faughs’ Eoin Brennan scored a goal somewhat against the run of play to edge Dublin ahead after 10 minutes (1-2 to 0-4). (Brennan’s father, James “Shiner” Brennan, won 2 All Ireland’s with Kilkenny in 1992 & 1993.)
For the remainder of the half the Kilkenny forwards looked more efficient(with corner forward Adam Franks very dangerous) and went into a 4 point lead but Crokes’ Connie O’Sullivan really led the line for Dublin at centre half forward and scored 2 great points on 18 & 19 minutes to keep his side in touch.
On 25 minutes, Crokes centre back Rory Flannery did great work to chase back and make a goal saving tackle on Franks but was fouled as he tried to clear the ball and the Kilkenny forwards reacted quicker than the defence to score their 2nd goal. (KK 2-8 Dub 1-9)
Although Ciaran Fitzgerald of St.Judes levelled the scores in 1st half injury time, it looked as if the home side were well set up with the strong wind to come in the 2nd half. (H/T KK 2-9 Dub 1-12)
2nd Half.
Both sides traded points in the 1st 6 minutes after the restart to leave scores level at 1-14 to 2-11 before Castleknock midfielder Cillian Beere edged Dublin ahead; then following a great run down the left by Ranelagh Gaels wing back Cole Condon, Raheny wing forward Adam Ryan scored a great goal to which he added a point on 45 minutes. Crokes’ sub wing forward Conall Criostoir made an immediate impact with a lovely point from 50 metres on the left touchline to stretch the lead to 6 after 46 minutes. (KK 2-11, Dub 2-17)
The Cats eventually scored on 47 minutes (after 11 minutes of no score) but despite the wind advantage for the home side, the Dublin players were winning all the battles throughout the field. Clontarf’s right wing back Conall Murphy hit a “monster point”(similar to one he hit in the 1st half) to restore the 6 point lead and on 50 minutes, Brennan showed a “poachers instinct” to score his 2nd goal to make it 3-18 to 2-13.
The Dublin supporters could hardly believe what was unfolding and were waiting for the dreaded Kilkenny comeback. However, the players on the pitch continued to win the individual battles and managed to add another 3 points to match the 3 frees scored by the Cats’ Conor McEvoy. In the final minutes Dublin conceded 2 21 metre frees but the ever alert Flannery managed to deflect both of these out for 65’s. Deep into injury time following a high ball into the Dublin area, Kilkenny scrambled a goal but it was “too little, too late”.
Dublin Goalie Sean Gorey pucked out long and referee Jimmy Keaveney at last sounded the final whistle much to the delight of the Dublin players and supporters. Having lost 2 finals to Kilkenny in 2024 and 2025, this is the 1st U19 League title for Dublin and the 1st title win for any Dublin county team since the U20’s won the Leinster Championship in 2020!
Congratulations to Crokes' players Rory Flanner, Connie O'Sullivan, Conall Criostoir, Conor Coogan and Fintan Lydon who were part of the match day squad.
