Dunnamaggin (Kilkenny) 1-17

Castleblayney (Monaghan) 1-13

Legendary Kilkenny full back Noel Hickey added another medal to his glittering collection as Dunnamaggin survived a huge scare from Castleblayney to be crowned All-Ireland club junior hurling champions at Croke Park.

The favourites scored the last seven points to edge past their Monaghan opponents in a cracking decider. Boosted by a superb John Fitzpatrick goal in the 11th minute, Dunnamaggin led by 1-2 to 0-2 before 'Blayney stormed back with points from county star Fergal Rafter and Hugh Byrne as well as a 30th minute major from Brian McGuigan, which propelled Jimmy Lacey's underdogs into a 1-8 to 1-6 lead at the break.

Further scores from Rafter and Byrne extended 'Blayney's lead to 1-12 to 1-9 midway through the second half, but they would only score once more as Eamonn Kennedy's charges finished with a flourish.

Points from Darren Fitzpatrick, John Fitzpatrick, Thomas Maher and Ray Cody brought them level before Maher, (three) and Ronan Coffey tagged on four more to hand the Kilkenny men a hard-earned victory.

Dunnamaggin - S O’Neill; M Heffernan, N Hickey, V Costello; M Cody, W Phelan, A Fitzpatrick; D Fitzpatrick (0-1), E Kearney (0-1f); T Maher (0-7, 4f, 1'65), J Fitzpatrick (1-3), D O’Keefe (0-1); R Coffey (0-2), R Cody (0-2), A Fitzpatrick. Subs: J Brett for M Heffernan, I Walsh for A Fitzpatrick.

Castleblayney - P Collins; E Leonard, J McHugh, C Merrick; A Kenny, P Treanor, C McNally (0-1); B Flanagan, P Finnegan; B McGuigan (1-1), M Treanor, H Byrne (0-2); F Rafter (0-9, 6f, 1'65), C Callan, P Malone. Sub: F Finnegan for P Malone.

Referee - L Gordon.

Tweet

Most Read Stories