St Kieran’s defeat neighbours Kilkenny CBS to claim Croke Cup glory

St Kieran's College 2-16
Kilkenny CBS 0-13

Ringing the changes when it mattered helped St Kieran's College sweep past their city neighbours Kilkenny CBS to become post-primary schools senior hurling All-Ireland champions.

The introduction of Sean Morrissey and Robbie Donnelly were two key moments as Kieran's got their hands on the Croke Cup at the expense of their near-neighbours at Nowlan Park on Saturday.

Between them the duo notched up seven second-half points from frees – Morrissey (0-4), Donnelly (0-3) – as they surged to a 19th national title.

Same ground
Their start was anything but powerful, as a sluggish Kieran's failed to spark into life early on. The CBS, who won their Leinster title on the same ground a month earlier, were faster out of the traps.

By the 11th minute the CBS were five points ahead of a scoreless St Kieran’s, Andrew Gaffney leading the way with a hat-trick of scores, but all of a sudden Kieran’s got back in the game. Brian Cody lashed home a 12th minute goal when he gathered Conor O’Carroll’s pass and drilled the sliotar home from close range, while a Conor Murphy free meant there was just a point in it at the end of the first quarter (0-5 to 1-1).

There was little to choose between the teams for the remainder of the half. Led by the impressive Luke Scanlon (0-2) the CBS tried to stay in front, but conceding frees allowed Murphy to step in and level matters by half-time (0-7 to 1-4).

Scanlon was in the mix again after the restart, bagging the opening point before James Lenihan made it a two-point game inside 60 seconds.

However, it was to the last time they would enjoy the lead, as Tadhg O’Dwyer instantly hit back for Kieran’s, flicking Liam Blanchfield’s cross to the net.

The goal was a hammer blow from which the CBS never fully recovered. While Gaffney (free) and Scanlon clawed back the deficit once Morrissey and Donnelly got their grips on the game they kept pushing Kieran’s further and further in front. Donnelly was first to strike, picking off two frees, before Morrissey rattled off three in as many minutes to open up a five-point lead with 13 minutes to play (2-11 to 0-12).

A strong Kieran's defence, marshalled by Man of the Match Darren Mullen ensured there was no way back for CBS and points by O'Dwyer (2) and Donnelly (two frees) ensured Kieran's secured the spoils.
ST KIERAN'S COLLEGE: J Barcoe, M Cody, T Walsh, J Keoghan, J Cleere (0-1), D Mullen, E Walsh, K Blanchfield, J Maher, J Byrne, L Blanchfield, B Cody (1-1), C Murphy (0-4, 4f), C O'Carroll, T O'Dwyer (1-3). Subs: S Morrissey (0-3) for Byrne ( 36 mins), R Donnelly (0-4, 4f)for Murphy ( 40 mins), B Ryan for Cody ( 51 mins), C Browne for Walsh, 60 mins.
KILKENNY CBS: D Holohan, K Galvin, C McGrath, C Doheny, G Bryan, E Cody, P Deegan (0-1), N Mullins, J.P. Treacy, Huw Lawlor, Luke Scanlon (0-5), A Gaffney (0-5, 4f, one 65), R Buckley, J Byrne, J Lenihan (0-2). Subs: M McWey for Byrne ( 36 mins), R Murphy for Lawlor (44 mins), P Delahunty for Lenihan ( 56 mins), D Doheny for Gaffney ( 58 mins).
Referee : Alan Kelly (Galway).