Poignant win as MTU Cork hurlers claim Darragh McCarthy cup

The Midlton player sadly passed away after an accident and the first anniversary of his passing was last week.

MTU's Cillian McCarthy races past DCU's Cian Doyle during the All-Ireland Junior Hurling final at the MTU sports grounds. Picture: David Keane.

MTU Cork 0-20 DCU 0-16 

MTU retained their All-Ireland Colleges Junior Hurling title following their win over DCU at MTU on Thursday night.

The cup is named after Darragh McCarthy who sadly passed away after an accident and the first anniversary of his passing was last Wednesday.

Last year the Midleton GAA Club member played at right half-back for MTU in this final, which was also against DCU.

His father, Niall, and other members of the family were at MTU last night to present the cup to the winning side.

Tomás Roche put DCU in front from a free, with Darragh Murphy adding a second as they were making use of the strong wind in their favour.

Luke Keating got MTU off the mark from a 65, with Eoin O’Donovan adding another to see the sides level after five minutes.

Oisin Knox put the Dublin college back in front, with David Kelly levelling it again as DCU were guilty of missing chances to stretch their lead.

Knox put them back in front, before David Buckley made it 0-4 each with 10 minutes gone.

Sean Doyle kept the scoreboard ticking over for DCU when he pointed after 11 minutes, but that proved to be their last score until the 28th minute.

In between Keating pointed from a free to level it for the fifth time, before he was on target again to put MTU in front for the first time.

Cillian McCarthy and Eoin O’Donovan added to their tally to make it 0-8 to 0-5.

Knox replied for DCU with Keating replying for MTU. Two more from Knox made it 0-9 to 0-8 as half time approached.

Keating got the last score of the half as MTU led by 0-10 to 0-8 as they turned to play with the wind.

Two early points from Knox, both frees, had DCU back on level terms, before Keating got MTU’s first score after the restart.

Daniel Murnane added another to restore their two point lead, with another Knox free putting only one between the sides, 0-12 to 0-11 after 45 minutes.

Keating was on target again, with Knox also scoring and by the 48th minute it was 0-14 to 0-12 in MTU’s favour.

Jamie Copps stretched the home side’s lead further, before Knox pointed another free to put two between them again.

Cillian McCarthy and Buckley stretched MTU’s lead, with Knox again replying from a free, to make it 0-17 to 0-14 with five minutes left.

Matt Higgins it a four point game with Roche replying for DCU.

But late scores from Keating and Charlie Terry secured the title for MTU on a day that they remembered their friend who passed away a year ago.

Scorers for MTU: L Keating 0-9 (6f, 0-1 65), D Buckley, E O’Donovan, C McCarthy 0-2 each, C Terry, D Murnane, J Copps, M Higgins, C McCarthy 0-1 each.

DCU: O Knox 0-11 (9f), T Roche 0-2 (1f), D Murphy, S Doyle, E O’Brien 0-1 each.

MTU: J McEvoy (Lisdowney); D Keane (Inniscarra), D King (Carrigaline), E Meagher (Loughmore/Castleiney); C O’Reilly (Éire Óg Corra Choill), D Murnane (Carrigtwohill), P Kelly (Ballincollig); C McCarthy (Sarsfields), D Kelly (Douglas); C Terry (Aghada), C Lordan (Ballymartle), R Ring (Connahy Shamrocks); E O’Donovan (Belgooly), L Keating (Kildorrery), D Buckley (Killeagh).

Subs: S Brennan (Carrigtwohill) for D Kelly (ht), R Crowley (Kilbrittain) for R Ring (38), J Copps (Ballyhea) for D King (50), M Higgins (Ballymartle) for C Lordan (52).

DCU: J Sunderland; C Clery, E Ormonde, E Dempsey: B Fitzpatrick, J Coogan, C Doyle; E O’Brien, S Doyle; T Roche, O Knox, D Murphy; Z McHardy, N Minnock, S Keenan.

Subs: S Ormonde for Z McHardy, M Bishop for N Minnock (both 45), R Furlong for S Keenan (51).

Referee: Simon Stokes, Tullylease.