Tommy draws short straw as Dubs deny Cats a double

Tommy Buggy is on the phone for much of the All-Ireland U16 hurling decider, his wife requiring an update on the state of play with every passing minute.

With little over 60 seconds of normal time remaining and Kilkenny in front by three, he tells her to stay on the line, proceeding to provide an excited commentary of the final few moments.

Tommy’s son Seán lined out at corner-forward for Kilkenny in the decider at Dundrum on Saturday, his second son also serving the black and amber almost 100km down the road in Waterford. Declan Buggy was part of the victorious Kilkenny team at Saturday’s Tony Forristal, but the clashing of tournaments meant the parents had a decision to make.

Both sons had to be supported and so there would be two cars departing the Buggy driveway in Castlecomer on Saturday morning.

“We flipped a coin Friday night to see who’d go where,” explained Tommy. “My wife went to Waterford and I came down here.”

Tommy, unfortunately, drew the short straw, Kilkenny pipped in an entertaining decider. So Dublin celebrated a first U16 title win, the eighth county to annex the John Doyle perpetual trophy. Trailing 0-9 to 0-6 coming down the home stretch, Dublin sub John McGuirk scrambled the ball across the white paint with his first involvement to force extra-time.

Darragh Maloney’s live commentary from the Gaelic Grounds rang out from the loud speaker situated outside the dressing rooms at Dundrum, but the 400 or so souls in attendance had little concern for Donal Vaughan’s equaliser and matters football. Having come through extra-time in their semi-final win over Wexford, the Kilkenny bodies had exhausted every last ounce of energy and effort. The well had run dry, and Dublin capitalised with three points either side of the turnaround — Eoin Foley, Seafra Fitzgerald and Colin Currie (free) the providers – to claim the spoils (1-9 to 0-9).

“It is great to win it and it is great to get Dublin’s name on that Cup,” said manager Paul O’Brien. “From our perspective, it is just building blocks to try and get Dublin up there and winning all the time against the likes of Kilkenny. That is what I am looking to do and that is what those lads inside in the dressing room are looking to do. They want to perform and be successful every time they go out on the field. Regardless of winning today or not winning, we performed and that is what we came down here to do. We knew everything else would look after itself after that.

“This win won’t make huge ripples but it is great for those lads. This group started off together when they were U13 and we always knew their great character. They really showed that in the second half of extra-time when it was put up to them. “

The Kilkenny team which lined out in the decider featured less than half the starting XV that took to the field for their opening contest against Cork some eight hours earlier. Injuries and fatigue had taken its toll. Manager Pat Tynan realised as much. “This is a development path for these lads and I would hope they would take it onto the minor next year,” he said. “The lads are obviously disappointed. They are 16-years of age so they are now at a crossroads to try and understand defeat. We told them to carry it forward onto minor level and I have no doubt the majority of these lads we will be back in the Kilkenny jersey.”

Although falling to the Cats in the penultimate round, Wexford enjoyed a hugely positive outing in south Tipp – recording wins over Clare and Offaly and providing stiff examination of both finalists.

“This is our most successful day at this tournament in a good number of years,” enthused selector Tom Pender. “We are delighted with the year as a whole because we are back up there competing. Dublin only beat us a goal and we could have taken Kilkenny. We are nearly up at the top once again. That bodes well for the future.”

Cork, meanwhile, failed to emerge from group B. Diarmuid O’Sullivan’s side lost to Kilkenny 0-10 to 0-9 in their opening fixture and while Tipperary were subsequently overcome (1-10 to 0-8), Kilkenny maintained their winning start to ensure the Rebels would not advance. Cork lost to Laois (2-10 to 1-8) in their final group game.

Scorers for Dublin: J McGuirk (1-0); C Currie (0-2 frees), E Foley (0-2 each); S Fitzgerald, C Ryan, C O’Sullivan (0-1 free), K O’Callaghan, D Burke (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kilkenny: E Delaney (0-5, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ’65); J Bergin (0-2), J Connolly, S Bogler (0-1 each).

DUBLIN: D Perry (St Vincent’s); C Ryan (Craobh Chiarain), D Gray (Whitehall Colmcilles), C Lennon (St Finians); L Finnegan (Erin’s Isle), E Mac Domhnaill (St Vincent’s), C O’Sullivan (St Brigid’s); C Dowling (Lucan Sarsfields), S Fitzgerald (Na Fianna); D Burke (Na Fianna), K Callaghan (St Brigid’s), E Foley (St Olafs); C Currie (Na Fianna), C Burke (St Vincent’s), A Mellett (Ballyboden St Enda’s).

Subs: J O’Neill (St Brigid’s) for Mac Domhnaill (19 mins), J McGuirk (St Brigid’s) for Burke (27), C Burke for Fitzgerald (32).

KILKENNY: R Ryan (Piltown); D Cass (Conaghy Shamrocks), J Frisby (Slieverue), E Carroll (Dicksboro); M Keoghan (Tullaroan), M Drennan (Barrow Rangers), S Mahony (O’Loughlin Gaels); C Kavanagh (Dicksboro), J Mullaly (Danesfort); E Delaney (Conaghy Shamrocks), J Connolly (Clara), J Bergin (Conaghy Shamrocks); S Buggy (Erin’s Own), J Donnelly (Thomastown), S Bogler (O’Loughlin Gaels).

Subs: E Moylan (Dicksboro) for Buggy (21 mins), V Costelloe (Dunamaggin) for Keoghan (24).

Referee: Joe Larkin (Cork).