Croke Cup Final

grenache

Its all square at half time in Thurles: St Kierans (Kilkenny) 1-2 Ard Scoil Rís (Limerick) 0-5.

Think the Limerick boys will be disappointed having made the better start and conceding a very soft goal after a goalkeeping error by David Sheppard. Some nice points by John Fitzgibbon and Adrian Breen gave Ard Scoil an early lead but fair play to Kierans they came back and had the better of it in the last 15 mins. Padraig Walsh and Paul Buggy in the Kieran's forwards look very tidy hurlers indeed and their full back Lennon is very commanding. For Ard Scoil, Cathal McInerney and Kevin Downes are showing well. Six wides apiece. Some good open hurling. Here's to an equally good second half.

445279.ie

Thanks for the update, let me know the final score in due course please

grenache

Well its typical Ard Scoil! They seem to be out of the game as Kierans tacked over 3 points in a row. Then a long delivery into Brendan O'Connor and bang a goal. Then a point and now another goal by John Fitzgibbon following more brilliant work by Brendan O Connor. Now its all Ard Scoil Ris. 2-8 to 1-6 with ten mins left.

grenache

Another twist, a goal by Kierans full forward Brennan followed by a free by centre back William Phelan leaves the minimum between them, 2-8 to 2-7. Anyones game.

grenache

Kierans take the lead, nice point by Thomas Hanrahan. 2-9 to 2-8. Five mins to play.

grenache

2-11 to 2-8 with a free close to the goal for ard scoil.

Edit: and that's it, its over. 2-11 to 2-8. St Kieran's deserved it over general play, but Ard Scoil Rís certainly pushed them all the way and gave a great account of themselves. McInerney, Hannon, O'Connor, Moroney, Dempsey and O'Brien at midfield were fantastic for the Ard Scoil. There is light at the end of the tunnell for Limerick hurling. The Kilkenny boys scored 1-5 without reply in the last 12 minutes. A terrific response to Ard Scoil's two quickfire goals. They really showed great character and have some great forwards. Look out for names such as Gannon, Buggy, Brennan, Phelan, Walsh, Lennon and Hanrahan. The stars of future KK sides no doubt. One thing that i noticed was that Kierans were bigger in size and physicality than Ard Scoil's boys. I think that told a lot too in the end.

phkk

Kierans win 2-11 vs 2-08

445279.ie

another Kilkenny win :pac:

RHunce

how come ard scoil had to play a kilkenny team in both the final and semi final? what way does it work up there? ard scoil had to beat the other limerick and munster teams so this leaves me wondering how two kilkenny teams can by in the final and semi if the same feat couldnt be done by two limerick teams

Browney7

Not too long back from it. When they got the two quick goals I thought it was all over but credit to Kierans they dug deep.

The game was there for the taking but Ardscoil just couldn't fight them off. A pity but winning the harty for the first time was still a huge achievement for Ardscoil.

phkk

RHunce wrote: »

how come ard scoil had to play a kilkenny team in both the final and semi final? what way does it work up there? ard scoil had to beat the other limerick and munster teams so this leaves me wondering how two kilkenny teams can by in the final and semi if the same feat couldnt be done by two limerick teams

Munster and Leinter finalists enter a back door...KK CBS played Thurles CBS(ie two beaten finalists in their respective provinces) and beat them in Allk-Ireland quarter final. Therefore,they played Ard Scoil Ris in semi-final..

thesimpsons

grenache wrote: »

. One thing that i noticed was that Kierans were bigger in size and physicality than Ard Scoil's boys. I think that told a lot too in the end. [ /QUOTE]

ASR have about 5 boys from leaving cert and rest are 5th yrs with a few 4th yrs. Any idea the make up of St Kierans squad?

Great match. ASR just couldn't answer back in the last few minutes. didn't stop fighting for everything though. Slippy surface made for some very messy hurling, slipping and falling all over the place.

radharc

I must have been the only one disappointed by this match, the first half was brutal (conditions were difficult in fairness) and the game only really took off with about 15 mins to go.

Was really looking forward to it but only the last quarter lived up to the hype

grenache

One thing that disappointed me today was when ard scoil were in a winning position, after the two goals, they didn't keep doing what got them in that position in the first place i.e. hitting Downes and O'Connor with quick direct ball. They really didn't do enough of this. Also, i dont know why Declan Hannon wasn't switched to centre forward, when Shane Dowling was being beat there. The two Clare boys in the half back line were doing well so putting Dowling back there wouldn't have weakened it. It also would have supplied much needed impetus to the half forward line which was struggling to claim ball. Still though, a valiant effort and they played well.

peabutler

8 Kierans starters good for next year and 3 for the year after, Kierans had a KK Minor on the bench

phkk

peabutler wrote: »

8 Kierans starters good for next year and 3 for the year after, Kierans had a KK Minor on the bench

Who was that??

peabutler

Dunno I'm in the school/at the match and I didn't know myself but the commentators said it on TG4 according to my father.

Junior D

could be Paul Holden but he wasn't a starter on the minor, he was only part of the panel