Gaelic Games

John Cooney’s goal helps Galway see off Dublin to take Leinster U20 hurling title

Result comes five weeks after Dublin won the delayed 2020 decider between the sides

Galway’s John Cooney in action against Dublin’s Donal Leavy during the Leinster U20 HC Final at MW Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
Galway’s John Cooney in action against Dublin’s Donal Leavy during the Leinster U20 HC Final at MW Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
John Fallon in Portlaoise
Tue Jul 27 2021 - 22:00

Galway 2-15 Dublin 0-15

Galway will meet either Cork or Limerick in the All-Ireland under-20 hurling final on Saturday week after capturing the Leinster title in Portlaoise on Tuesday night.

A magnificent goal from John Cooney sent Galway on their way to victory just five weeks after they lost the 2020 decider to the same opposition.

Galway celebrate after beating Dublin in the Leinster U20 hurling final at MW Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho
Galway celebrate after beating Dublin in the Leinster U20 hurling final at MW Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho

Cooney, son of former All Star Joe, cracked home a magnificent shot to the top left corner early in the second half for a lead that Galway never relinquished.

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But 11 second-half wides and a string of good saves from Dublin goalkeeper Ben Hynes ensured it went down to the wire before Galway secured their second Leinster title in the U20/21 grade.

The sides went in level at the break thanks to a superb point from the right wing by Dara Purcell for Dublin when he landed his second of the match to leave it 1-7 to 0-10 at the interval.

The only goal of the half fell to Galway after eight minutes when Oisín Flannery pounced to flick the ball to the net after goalkeeper Hynes failed to hold an effort from distance from Christy Brennan.

That pushed Galway 1-2 to 0-4 in front after Dublin, backed by the slight breeze, had started well with Ciarán Foley hitting a couple of points and Purcell and Kevin Lahiff also finding the range but they were level at the break.

Donal Leavy edged Dublin in front just after the restart but then Cooney struck his magnificent goal.

Galway never relinquished the lead after that, even though they didn’t make the game safe until the closing moments a couple of late points from Seán McDonagh, who picked up a second yellow card in the dying moments, and a seventh of the evening from Donal O’Shea secured the title.

GALWAY: P Rabbitte; E Lawless, E Geraghty, C Brennan; S Quirke, S Neary (0-1), E Duggan; I McGlynn, J O'Donoghue (0-1); D Kilcommins, S McDonagh (0-3, one s/l), J Cooney (1-0); N Collins (0-1), D O'Shea (0-7, four frees), O Flannery (1-2).

Subs: A Connaire for O'Donoghue (45), G Thomas for Kilcommins (46), C Flaherty for Duggan (51), L Collins for N Collins (56), C Cunningham for McGlynn (59).

DUBLIN: B Hynes; D Crowe, B Sheehy, I Ó Heither; P Doyle, C Ó Cathasaigh, P Dunleavy (0-2); D Power, D Leavy (0-1); D McBride, K Lahiff (0-2), P Linehan; C Foley (0-8, six frees, one 65), S Fenton, D Purcell (0-2).

Subs: C Boyle for McBride (41), L Dunne for Lahiff (50), J Flanagan for Linehan (55).

Referee: R Fitzsimons (Offaly).