Gearóid Dunne leads Kilkenny to Leinster minor hurling final triumph over Wexford
28 July 2021; Kilkenny players celebrate with the cup after the 2021 Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Wexford at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Kilkenny and Wexford minor hurlers served up a thrilling Leinster final at Netwatch Cullen Park, with the Cats hanging on for a two-point win to retain their title and record a 59th provincial victory in the grade.
The sides were tied at 1-5 apiece at half-time. The goals came late in the half, in the 30th minute from Kilkenny’s Ted Dunne, which drew an immediate Wexford response with centre-forward Adam O’Grady kicking the ball to the Kilkenny net.
Wexford led for the first time minutes into the second half through a well taken Simon Roche goal. But Kilkenny, inspired by their center-back and man-of-the-match Gearóid Dunne, were level by the 47th minute when a Danny Glennon point made it 1-11 to 2-8.
A Kilkenny point from captain Harry Shine put them ahead and the Cats led by two in the final minutes. A fine save from goalie Alan Dunphy prevented a certain Wexford goal while a close-range Wexford free deep in injury time from Luke Roche was cleared by the Kilkenny defence.
H Shine (0-6, 0-5f); T Dunne (1-1); D Glennon (0-3); G Dunne, J Neary, K Doyle, K Carey, D Queally (0-1 each).
L Roche (0-7f); A O’Grady, S Roche (1-1 each); L Murphy (0-1).
A Dunphy; E Rudkins, B Hughes, S Moore; J Fitzpatrick, G Dunne, E Lyng; J Neary, K Doyle; T Dunne, H Shine, K Carey; D Glennon, C Hackett, D Queally.
B Whitty for Neary (47); J Walsh for Queally (51).
T Doyle; C O Tuama, E Whelan, R Chapman; Dylan Purcell, S Cooney, P Doyle; S Rowley, C Byrne; Darby Purcell, A O’Grady, F Walsh; S Roche, L Roche, L Murphy.
C Doyle for Walsh (18).
T Gleeson (Dublin).
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