As it happened: Kilkenny v Limerick, All-Ireland U21 Hurling final

Hello and welcome to The42′s coverage of today’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling championship final between Kilkenny and Limerick.

Kilkenny (U21 vs Limerick)

1. Darren Brennan (St Lachtains)

2. Michael Cody (Dunnamaggin)
3. Conor Delaney (Erins Own)
4. Niall McMahon (Erins Own)

5. Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels)
6. Jason Cleere (Bennettsbridge)
7. Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan)

8. Luke Scanlon (James Stephens)
9. Richie Leahy (Rower Inistioge)

10. John Walsh (Mullinavat)
11. John Donnelly (Thomastown)
12. Sean Morrissey (Bennettsbridge)

13. Shane Walsh (Tullaroan)
14. Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge)
15. Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan)

Subs:
Alan Murphy (Glenmore)
James Burke (Thomastown)
Darren Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
Aidan Nolan (Dicksboro)
Pat Lyng (Rower Inistioge)
Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan)
Eoin Kenny (Slieverue)
Conor O’Carroll (Lisdowney)
James Bergin (Conahy Shamrocks)

Limerick team to face Kilkenny

1. Eoghan McNamara (Doon)

2. Sean Finn (Bruff)
3. Darragh Fanning (Pallasgreen)
4. Dan Joy (Kilmallock)

5. Ronan Lynch (Na Piarsaigh)
6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo/Pallaskenry)
7. Thomas Grimes (Na Piarsaigh)

8. Colin Ryan (Pallasgreen)
9. Robbie Hanley (Kilmallock)

10. Aaron Gillane (Patrickswell)
11. Barry Murphy (Doon)
12. Cian Lynch (Patrickswell)

13. Peter Casey (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Tom Morrissey (Ahane)(Captain)
15. Barry Nash (South Liberties).

Subs:
16. Cian Hedderman (Ballybrown)
17. Paudie Ahern (Killeedy)
18. Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh)
19. Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (Monaleen)
20. Seamus Flanagan (Feohanagh)
21. Lorcan Lyons (Monaleen)
22. Mike Mackey (Adare)
23. Conor McSweeney (South Liberties)
24. Jack O Grady (Knockainey).

Gearing up to throw-in. Who do you have your money on?

“I’ve read an awful lot of books about management and sports people looking for little nuggets here and there,” says Brennan. “The one thing I’ve learned is you have to have your own philosophy on it, you have to go and say I can’t be anyone else.

“Last year I focused a little bit on sweepers too much whereas this year we focused on ourselves. Yes we look at the opposition to see where their strengths are, but ultimately it is about us dictating the game.”

With a few minutes to go before throw-in, have a read of what Kilkenny U21 boss Eddie Brennan had to say before the final.

‘The one thing I’ve learned is you have to have your own philosophy’ – Eddie Brennan

Kilkenny’s Conor Delaney: ‘Our main goal at the end of the year is to win the All-Ireland. We’ll be working on getting our preparation right.’

Here’s the match report from todays’ All-Ireland U21 B Hurling final, where Kerry edged out Wicklow by 2-12 to 2-08:

Kerry land 8th All-Ireland U21 B hurling crown with win over Wicklow

Eddie Brennan: ‘One mistake could change the dynamic of the match.’

Five minutes to throw-in. Get the last of your predictions in.

And we’re underway in Thurles.

And we have the first score. Shane Walsh pops it over to put Kilkenny ahead 0-01 0-00/

Kilkenny 0-01 0-02 Limerick

Barry Nash smashes it over to edge Limerick in front after five minutes.

Kilkenny 0-01 0-03 Limerick

Massive score by Ronan Lynch from a long-range free.

Kilkenny 0-01 0-04 Limerick

That’s three with reply for Limerick. They’re motoring now.

Kilkenny 0-01 0-05 Limerick

The rain is coming down thick and heavy as Limerick open a four-point lead.

10 minutes since Kilkenny’s last score.

Kilkenny 0-01 0-06 Limerick

Aaron Gillane is causing a wreck in the Kilkenny defence. He hits Limerick’s sixth point of the day.

Kilkenny 0-01 0-07 Limerick

Gillane hits his second on the bounce. This time from a well taken free.

And just like that, the rain has stopped and the sun is shining again in Thurles.

Kilkenny 0-02 0-07 Limerick

Billy Ryan brings some relief back to Kilkenny with a badly needed score after some 17 minutes since their opening point.

Kilkenny 0-02 0-08 Limerick

Peter Casey responds for the Shannonsiders with a nice point from the sideline. Back to a six-point game.

Kilkenny 0-02 0-08 Limerick 

Kilkenny 0-03 0-08 Limerick

Substitution on the Kilkenny team. Alan Murphy is on for Seán Morrissey.

Kilkenny 0-03 0-09 Limerick

Cian Lynch with a lovely score after powering through the Kilkenny cover and shortening the grip to pop it over.

Kilkenny 0-04 0-09 Limerick

The Cats reduce the deficit again to five as half-time looms.

Kilkenny 0-04 0-10 Limerick

But once again, Aaron Gillane is on hand to stretch Limerick’s advantage once more. That’s his fifth point of the day.

Wide count so far – Kilkenny : 5   Limerick : 8

HT: Limerick 0-11 0-04 Kilkenny All-Ireland U21 final

Ronan Lynch got the last point for Limerick before the break with his second long-range point from a free today.

We’re back underway in Thurles.

Kilkenny 0-04 0-11 Limerick

Ronan Lynch making a great start to the second half. Great block.

Kilkenny 0-04 0-11 Limerick

Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Kilkenny 0-04 0-12 Limerick

Great strength from Gillane as he sweeps over another point for Limerick.

Meanwhile, Kiklenny have brought on some subs to freshen up the attack. Billy Ryan is making way at the moment.

Wide count – Kilkenny: 8  Limerick: 12

Kilkenny 0-06 0-13 Limerick

Peter Casey finishes the ball over the bar after a free in from Ronan Lynch. This is becoming target practise for them.

Kilkenny 0-07 0-14 Limerick

Ronan Lynch with another fine point. Alan Murphy tags on a point to keep the difference to seven points.

Kilkenny 0-08 0-14 Limerick

Alan Murphy nails a free from an acute angle. With six between them now maybe there’s still a chance for Kilkenny.

Kilkenny 0-09 0-14 Limerick

Great score for Kilkenny from John Donnelly. The Cats’ workrate in the last few minutes has been exceptional.

Kilkenny 0-09 0-15 Limerick

SAVE!! Great save from Darren Brennan to prevent a certain goal and deflect it over the bar.

Kilkenny 0-10 0-15 Limerick

Alan Murphy scores a ’65 after a goal opportunity for Kilkenny goes over the line. Eddie Brennan’s side are applying loads of pressure now.

Kilkenny 0-11 0-15 Limerick

Alan Murphy has changed this game with a fifth point after his introduction. They trail Limerick by just four points now.

Kilkenny 0-11 0-17 Limerick

Aaron Gillane and Oisin O’Reilly combine to step up again to push Limerick out again with a point each.

Kilkenny 0-11 0-17 Limerick

The rain is starting to fall again in Semple Stadium as Limerick hold a six-point lead with less than a minute of normal time remaining.

Kilkenny 0-11 0-17 Limerick

4 minutes of added time to be played.

Kilkenny 0-11 0-17 Limerick

Aaron Gillane has been awarded the man of the match award. Deserved?

FT: Limerick defeat Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland U21 hurling final