AFTER 80 MINUTES of pulsating hurling, DCU Dóchas Éireann’s strong finish gained them the Higher Education Freshers AHC title at the Mardyke in Cork.
Na Fianna's Donal Burke impressed for DCU. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
While UL needed an Eoghan Murray injury-time free to send the game to extra time, the Castletroy outfit looked set to be the first to receive the new John Corcoran Cup when they pushed four points ahead after Mark Hughes’ point early in the second period.
However, DCU – who had been so close to victory in normal time – had a kick left in them. Darren Mullen’s huge point left a goal in it and that goal came courtesy of Colin Currie, who levelled with a ground shot.
A replay loomed but DCU weren’t ready to settled for that and Donal Burke and then Daire Gray scored the points that proved crucial, though they also needed goalkeeper Oisín Foley to deny Aron Shanagher what would have been a UL winner.
UL will reflect on 19 wides over the 80 minutes but DCU deserve credit for the way they kept responding to setbacks. While three points in a row from the Dublin college put them 0-6 to 0-5 ahead as half-time neared, Ross Malone struck the net to put UL in front and they began the second half well.
From there though, DCU took over and Burke’s free-taking was impeccable as the deficit was reeled in before they pushed ahead. Murray hit the post with what looked to be UL’s last chance – Michael Mackey claimed the rebound but Foley denied him, however another free for UL ensured that 20 more minutes were required.
With Murray on target again from frees, they began to make the most of their second chance, but DCU had other ideas.
Scorers for DCU Dóchas Éireann: Donal Burke 0-6 (frees), Colin Currie 1-2, Edmond Delaney 0-2 (frees), Ciarán Dowling 0-2, Darren Mullen, Daire Gray, Fergal Whitely (0-1 each).
Scorers for UL: Eoghan Murray 0-7 (frees), Ross Malone 1-0, Michael O’Shea, Mark Hughes 0-2 each, Michael Mackey, Ronan Hardiman 0-1 each.
DCU (Dublin clubs unless stated):
1. Oisín Foley (Crossabeg/Ballymurn, Wexford)
2. John Curran (Dungarvan, Waterford)
3. Darren Byrne (Blackwater, Wexford)
4. Darren Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks, Kilkenny)
15. Colin Currie (Na Fianna)
14. John Donnelly (Thomastown, Kilkenny)
13. Edmond Delaney (Conahy Shamrocks, Kilkenny)
Subs:
22. Brian Crowdle (James Stephens, Kilkenny) for Donnelly (21, injured)
20. Conor Byrne (James Stephens, Kilkenny) for Delaney (44)
18. James Mullally (Danesfort, Kilkenny) for Hearne (52)
23. Ben King (Ballina, Tipperary) for Dowling (full-time)
19. Daniel Lynch (Faythe Harriers, Wexford) for Conor Burke (75)
UL:
1. Páraic O’Loughlin (Clonlara, Clare)
2. G Dunne (Holycross-Ballycahill, Tipperary)
3. Nathan Fox (Parteen, Clare)
4. Mark Kearns (Mooncoin, Kilkenny)
Pulsating, absorbing Freshers final sees DCU sneak past UL after 80-minute thriller
DCU Dóchas Éireann 1-15
UL 1-13
(after extra-time)
Denis Hurley reports from the Mardyke
AFTER 80 MINUTES of pulsating hurling, DCU Dóchas Éireann’s strong finish gained them the Higher Education Freshers AHC title at the Mardyke in Cork.
While UL needed an Eoghan Murray injury-time free to send the game to extra time, the Castletroy outfit looked set to be the first to receive the new John Corcoran Cup when they pushed four points ahead after Mark Hughes’ point early in the second period.
However, DCU – who had been so close to victory in normal time – had a kick left in them. Darren Mullen’s huge point left a goal in it and that goal came courtesy of Colin Currie, who levelled with a ground shot.
A replay loomed but DCU weren’t ready to settled for that and Donal Burke and then Daire Gray scored the points that proved crucial, though they also needed goalkeeper Oisín Foley to deny Aron Shanagher what would have been a UL winner.
UL will reflect on 19 wides over the 80 minutes but DCU deserve credit for the way they kept responding to setbacks. While three points in a row from the Dublin college put them 0-6 to 0-5 ahead as half-time neared, Ross Malone struck the net to put UL in front and they began the second half well.
From there though, DCU took over and Burke’s free-taking was impeccable as the deficit was reeled in before they pushed ahead. Murray hit the post with what looked to be UL’s last chance – Michael Mackey claimed the rebound but Foley denied him, however another free for UL ensured that 20 more minutes were required.
With Murray on target again from frees, they began to make the most of their second chance, but DCU had other ideas.
DCU (Dublin clubs unless stated):
1. Oisín Foley (Crossabeg/Ballymurn, Wexford)
2. John Curran (Dungarvan, Waterford)
3. Darren Byrne (Blackwater, Wexford)
4. Darren Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks, Kilkenny)
7. Daire Gray (Whitehall Colmcilles)
6. Shane Howard (Fingallians)
5. Oisín Lanigan (St Vincent’s)
8. Ciarán Dowling (Lucan Sarsfields)
9. Fergal Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes)
10. Conor Burke (St Vincent’s)
11. Conor Hearne (Shelmaliers, Wexford)
12. Donal Burke (Na Fianna)
15. Colin Currie (Na Fianna)
14. John Donnelly (Thomastown, Kilkenny)
13. Edmond Delaney (Conahy Shamrocks, Kilkenny)
Subs:
22. Brian Crowdle (James Stephens, Kilkenny) for Donnelly (21, injured)
20. Conor Byrne (James Stephens, Kilkenny) for Delaney (44)
18. James Mullally (Danesfort, Kilkenny) for Hearne (52)
23. Ben King (Ballina, Tipperary) for Dowling (full-time)
19. Daniel Lynch (Faythe Harriers, Wexford) for Conor Burke (75)
UL:
1. Páraic O’Loughlin (Clonlara, Clare)
2. G Dunne (Holycross-Ballycahill, Tipperary)
3. Nathan Fox (Parteen, Clare)
4. Mark Kearns (Mooncoin, Kilkenny)
5. Conor Doheny (Dicksboro, Kilkenny)
6. Kyle Hayes (Kildimo-Pallaskenry, Limerick)
7. Cathal Noonan (Killanena, Clare)
8. Ronan Hardiman (Athenry, Galway)
9. Ciarán O’Connor (Kilmallock, Limerick)
12. Ross Malone (Oranmore-Maree, Galway)
13. Aron Shanagher (Wolfe Tones na Sionna, Clare)
11. Eoghan Murray (Cappoquin, Waterford)
22. Michael Mackey (Adare, Limerick)
10. Michael O’Shea (Smith O’Briens, Clare)
14. Jack Kenny (Kilnadeema-Leitrim, Galway)
Subs:
21. Mark Hughes (Liam Mellows, Galway) for O’Connor (43)
20. John Flynn (Patrickswell, Limerick) for Kenny (51)
28. Eoghan Scriven (John Lockes, Kilkenny) for Malone (56)
14. Kenny for Murray (74).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway).
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