St Mary’s Enniscorthy 1-10

Dublin North  1-8

Dublin North Colleges’ senior hurlers failed narrowly in their bid to reach the Leinster quarter final as they went down to St Mary’s Enniscorthy by two points in the first round played in Carlow. Playing with the wind in the first half, the Dubs failed to convert their superior possession into scores and the Enniscorthy ably dealt with any threat from their opposing forwards. A half-time lead of 0-5 to 0-3 looked anything but safe for the Dubs and so it was to prove.

Dublin did increase their lead to 0-6 to 0-3 early in the second half. However, a speculative shot from Tommy Storey from mid-field for the Wexford side slipped throught the fingers of Dublin goalie Shane McDermott to level the score. The Dublin keeper, apart from this score, gave a faultless display of goalkeeping through the game.

Points for the Wexford side from Jamie Reck and Niall Murphy prtopelled them into a five point lead. The Dublin forward line pressed hard for scores but a series of fine saves from “keeper” Conor O Leary kept the St Mary’s in front. However, Dublin North corner forward Mikey Brennan scored a 58th minute goal, a score that came too late to save his side’s championship ambitions.

For the Dublin side, full back Gareth Cronin was outstanding throughout, while Dan Byrne, Frankie Power, Darren Kelly and Mikey Brennen performed well in very wet and cold playing conditions.