Late scoring surge swings title for St. Kieran’s

SIX unanswered points in the final 10 minutes steered St Kieran’s to another Leinster trophy after they came from behind to deny a gallant St Brendan’s, Birr at Balinakill yesterday.

St Kieran’s, thanks to a fortunate Ciarán Prendergast goal, held a 1-5 to 0-5 lead at the break. St Brendan’s threw caution to the wind after the restart but a 45th minute goal from Paddy Mullins was their last score of the tie.

Chris Bolger and Jack McGrath led the St Kieran’s rally at the death as the Offaly school struggled to cope with the fast finishing Kilkenny outfit. Played on the astro turf pitch in Heywood CS, tempers soared on numerous occasions with referee Brochan Reilly issuing four yellows and a number of cautions.

Scorers for St Kieran’s: M Donnelly (0-5, 0-4 frees & 0-1 ‘65’), J McGrath (0-3), C Prendergast (1-0), C Bolger (0-2), E Morrissey (0-1).

Scorers for St Brendan’s: E Nolan (0-3 frees), P Mullins (1-0), S T O’Connor (0-2 frees), C Guilfoyle (0-1).

ST KIERAN’S: N Keogh; D Hennessy, R Lennon, W Allen; C Wafer, A Cleere, E Byrne; M Donnelly, P Kenneally; J McGrath, E Morrissey, C Bolger; C Treacy, C Prendergast, B Leydon.

Subs: D Burke for B Leydon 27, R O’Hanrahan for C Wafer 37, S Farrell for C Treacy 39.

ST BRENDAN’S: K Bergin; C Walsh, B Connors, K Donovan; C Mulrooney, E Hayes, C Fitzgerald; S O’Connor, P Mullins; E Nolan, K Dunne, C Doughan; D Cleary, C Guilfoyle, S T O’Connor.

Subs: John Molloy for Darragh Cleary 49, Bryan Donnelly for S O’Connor 58.

Referee: Brochan Reilly (Laois)