Ballyboden win in Kilmacud Sevens shows Dublin’s strength

Evidence of Dublin’s increasing stature as a hurling force came on Saturday as Ballyboden St Enda’s and Cuala contested an all capital decider at the Kilmacud Crokes grounds. In the end the Knocklyon men overcame Cuala on a 4-13 to 3-11 scoreline.

The 41st staging of the event attracted some big names with Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone) scoring one over Tipp team-mate Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields) as they won through to semi-finals

Mullinahone were to meet their match against Cuala as the Dalkey men, having previously dispensed of Portroe in the last eight, booked their place in the decider with a 6-13 to 3-3 victory. Ballyboden’s route to the final saw them dispense of host side, Kilmacud Crokes before overcoming Moycarkey in the semi-final.

In the final Ballyboden opened up a 2-5 to 1-5 half- time lead with player of the tournament, Conal Keaney scoring two goals.

The second half got off to a blistering start with the two sides bagging two goals apiece inside four minutes with Ballyboden's Niall McMorrow (2) cancelling out efforts at the other end by John Sheanon and Marc Schutte. Ballyboden held on to win their first ever sevens title.

Over 60 teams converged on Stillorgan for the Senior, Junior and under-13 tournaments. The Shield decider produced an exciting finish with Eoghan Ruadh (Tyrone) edging out Keady of Armagh while Naas recorded a notable victory in the under-13 final when they defeated Midleton.

One-Direct Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland hurling sevens, Stillorgan
Quarter-finals: Cuala (Dublin) 1-14 Portroe (Tipperary) 1-6, Mullinahone (Tipperary) 4-9 Thurles Sarsfields 4-8 (Tipperary), Moycarkey(Tipperary) 2-10 Templederry Kenyons (Tipperary) 1-9, Ballyboden St Enda's (Dublin) 2-5 Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) 2-2; Semi-finals: Ballyboden St Endas 2-13 Moycarkey 1-7, Cuala 6-13 Mullinahone 3-3; Final: Ballyboden St Endas 4-13 Cuala 3-11
Shield Final: Eoghan Ruadh (Tyrone) 1-12 Keady 1-11 (Armagh)
U-13 Final: Naas (Kildare) 1-3 Midleton (Cork) 0-2