Hurling success for Dublin and Kildare

Dublin and Kildare took Bord na Móna Walsh and Kehoe Cup hurling honours respectively this afternoon.

At Bellefield, Enniscorthy Paul Ryan once again proved to be Dublin's chief marksman as the Metropolitans claimed their sixth Bord na Móna Walsh Cup title thanks to a 1-19 to 0-16 win over Wexford.

Ryan fired 12 points in a game which saw Dublin fail to trail in this game once David O'Callaghan registered their only goal in the 30th minute.

'Dotsy' was only on as a blood sub for the injured Johnny McCaffrey at this stage, but fired a rasping shot past Wexford goalkeeper Niall Breen to give his side a 1-6 to 0-6 lead.

Earlier the sides had been level on six occasions during the opening 28 minutes, with Ryan, McCaffrey and Danny Sutcliffe on target with scores for the visitors.

Wexford captain Richie Kehoe, Paul Morris, PJ Nolan and Eoin Doyle claimed the hosts early points, but once Dublin raised the green flag they took control.

Dublin moved 1-9 to 0-6 ahead by the interval, despite seven first half wides.

Wexford tried hard on the restart, and managed to reduce the deficit to four points by the 45th minute with substitute Lee Chin impressive.

But Dublin were industrious in defence with Peter Kelly and Joey Boland putting in some excellent blocks, while Alan Nolan was solid between the posts.

Shane Durkin also put in a tremendous display during this contest, with Dublin scoring five of the last seven points to pave the way for a second Walsh Cup success in three years.

After the game Dublin captain Johnny McCaffrey received the Walsh Cup from Leinster GAA Chairman Martin Skelly.

Kildare claimed their first ever Bord na Móna Kehoe Cup title following a 2-11 to 0-13 win over Meath at Trim.

A brace of second half goals proved vital for Willie Sunderland's charges in a game which saw Meath leading by 0-7 to 0-6 at the interval.

The sides were level on three occasions inside the opening 15 minutes, before a Patrick Connelly pointed free edged Meath 0-4 to 0-3 ahead.

Nothing could separate these teams who were again tied at 0-4 apiece and 0-5 apiece, before Meath opened up a 0-7 to 0-6 interval lead.

Meath rued nine first half wides and this came back to haunt them as Kildare took control on the restart.

Goals from captain Paul Divilly and Tony Murphy inside a 10-minute spell helped pave the way for a Kildare win.

Divlly netting in the 40th minute to ensure a 1-6 to 0-8 lead, with defences on top over the next 10 minutes before Murphy's three-pointer ensured a 2-6 to 0-9 score-line.

Meath outscored Kildare by four points to three in the closing quarter, but the Lilywhites had done enough to hold out for victory.

After the game Kildare captain Paul Divilly received the Kehoe Cup.

Meanwhile, Down advanced to the Kehoe Shield final following a 3-20 to 4-13 win over St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra at Alfie Byrne Park, Clontarf.

Down led by 1-11 to 1-8 at half-time, with little separating the sides again on the restart.

Both teams proved goal-hungry in the closing 35 minutes.

James Coyle fired two of Down's goals, with Conor Dorrian on target for the other.

The students registering goals from James Kelly (2), Fergal Walsh and Paddy Butler but the Mourne County held that extra edge to secure a final berth against Roscommon.