Minor Hurlers Win in Leinster

Kildare Minor Hurlers came through four periods of extra time to beat Dublin in the Leinster Minor Hurling League final on a scoreline of 3-16 to 1-20 in the National Sports Centre in Abbottstown this afternoon.

Kildare were first off the mark with a score from Kevin Aherne after 2 minutes. Dublin were to get the next three scores, but Kildare replied with scores from Rian Boran and Ciaran Tobin. On 24 minutes, Seán Cullen struck for Kildare’s opening goal of the day. He turned a Ciaran Tobin free in to the back of the net. Dublin rallied to reduce the deficit to 2 points. Liam O’Flynn picked up a score at the end of the half to leave Kildare leading by 1-07 to 0-07 at half time in normal time.

Dublin got the first three scores of the second half to leave the sides level again, but up stepped Seán MacDonnacha to keep the Lillywhites ahead. Ciaran Tobin and Brian Tobin kept the scoreboard ticking over for Kildare, but they couldn’t shake off their Metropolitan neighbours. As the clock was ticking down on normal time, Dublin went ahead, but a score from Brian Tobin levelled the match once again. In the dying moments of injury time, Dublin were awarded a free to put them in front, but much to the relief of Kildare supporters, the sliotar sailed wide and we headed for extra time.

Dublin had the lion’s share of possession in the opening half of extra time, however they were unable to hit the target with their first four attempts in extra time. Kildare managed to go 2 points ahead with score from a Ciaran Tobin free and Brian Tobin from play. Dublin reeled them back in, and at the break at half time in extra time, Kildare lead by 1-15 to 0-17.

Dublin rocked Kildare in the early stages of the first half with a goal which put them back in front. Kildare were struggling to get the ball in to their forwards, but as the clock ticked down in extra time, they were handed a free on the 21 yard line. Up stepped Seán Cullen and buried the sliotar in to the Dublin net. Kildare ahead by one in injury time. As the Kildare supporters called for the referee’s whistle, the Dubs brought play back in to the Kildare half and won a free. It was duly converted. Level again at full time in extra time!

After some consultation between officials, mentors and the referee. It was decided that there would be more time played. Five minutes further were to be played. If there was no clear winner, then a further five minutes would be played.

In the first five minutes of this ‘bonus’ extra time, the Dubs nudged themselves ahead, but Brian Tobin replied for the lillies. Five minutes elapsed, the sides were still level.

Bodies were beginning to tire, the rain was relentless and there was no way to pick a winner between these sides. The second ‘bonus’ 5 minutes were a cagey affair, but Dublin were the ones to seize the initiative and went ahead with a free. After four minutes the Dublin defence were standing firm and batted away the threat coming from the Kildare forward line. In the dying moments, Kildare were awarded a 65. Captain, Ciaran Tobin stepped up to once again level the tie. His shot was high and looked on target, but somehow it managed to find its way in to the back of the net, to the elation of the Kildare supporters. There was time for another puck out, but the referee finally blew his whistle ending an enthralling game that will live long in the memory of all involved. Final score Kildare 3-16, Dublin 1-20.

The full Kildare Minor Hurling Panel.

Mark Doyle; 2. Eoghan Prizeman; 3. Richard Hogan jnr; 4. Paul Hogan; 5. Harry Carroll; 6. James Dolan; Luca Conroy; 8. Rian Boran; 9. Sean Mac Donnacha; 10. Kevin Aherne; 11. Ciaran Tobin (captain); 12. Liam O’Flynn; 13. Sean Cullen; 14. Paudie O’Neill; 15. Brian Tobin; 16. Philip Tierney; 17. Ruairí Goodfellow; 18. Aaron Thornton; 19. Brian Stynes; 20. Fionn Kelly; 21. Aaron Deegan; 22. Mikey Barea; 23 Al Bergin; 24. Rian Monaghan;