Minors marvel in Leinster decider
DUBLIN 2-15 WEXFORD 1-14
Dublin minor hurlers retained their provincial crown when edging out Wexford in Sunday’s Electric Ireland Leinster MHC final at Croke Park.
Paul Winters goal at the three-quarter mark when he swept the sliotar to the net from close range following a long Sean McClelland delivery into the danager area – it came between two quickfire Cian Boland points, were the crucial scores as Dublin put back-to-back MHC provincial titles together for the first time since the early 1950s (1952, ‘53, ‘54).
The Dubs defence was excellent throughout with corner-back Shane Barrett particularly prominent as the Dubs reversed the outcome of their opening round (extra-time) defeat to the Slaneysiders.
The teams were deadlocked at half-time 1-8 each after Sean Kenny’s goal direct form a free for Wexford in the 15th minute was quickly cancelled out by a Sean Treacy goal for the Dubs.
Shay Boland’s side finished with 14 men after Eric Lowndes was dismissed on a second yellow card in the 59th minute – the Dubs progress to an All-Ireland semi-final.
SCORERS Dublin: P Winters 1-5 (0-2f, 0-2 65), S Treacy 1-1, C McHugh, C Boland 0-3, C Costello, O ORorke, C Cronin 0-1 each. Wexford: A Kenny 1-3 (1-2f, 0-1 65), C McDonald 0-5 (0-2f), T French 0-3 (0-3f), J OConnor, S Kenny, K Foley 0-1 each.
DUBLIN – C Mac Gabhann; E Lowndes, C OCallaghan, S Barrett; S McClelland, R Murphy, E ODonnell; C Costello, C Cronin; C McHugh, S Treacy, C Conway; C Boland, O ORorke, P Winters. Subs: D Gormley for Conway (44), C Bennett for Treacy (51), J Roche for McHugh (61).
WEXFORD – O OLeary; S Doyle, S Murphy, E Conroy; L Ryan, A Kenny, A Roche; C Heffernan, C Devitt; K Foley, S Kenny, J OConnor; J Broaders, C McDonald, T French. Subs: D Shanley for Heffernan (30), K Ryan for Broaders (35), J Cash for French (51),
REF – G Quilty (Kilkenny).
ATTENDANCE: 22,171.
