O'Byrne Cup final: Macauley off as Dubs wear down Kildare

January 25, 2015

Michael Darragh Macauley of Dublin is sent off by referee David Gough
©INPHO

Dublin 0-24

Kildare 0-19

(after extra-time)

Dublin have been crowned O'Byrne Cup champions for the first time since 2008 thanks to an extra-time victory over Kildare in Newbridge.

Dean Rock maintained his impressive early season form by scoring 0-10 for the Leinster champions who had Michael Darragh Macauley sent off on a straight red card at the end of normal-time, but were restored to a full complement of 15 players for extra-time with Denis Bastick - who Macauley had replaced in the 48th minute - coming back on.

Despite missing an extra-time penalty, Kevin McManamon was also excellent, scoring 0-4 from play, while former county hurler Tomas Brady landed 0-3. 

Darrach Mulhall kicked seven frees for the Lilywhites, while Eamon Callaghan and substitute Padraig Fogarty notched 0-3 each. Dublin looked set for a comfortable win when they built up a six-point lead by the 22nd minute, but the hosts fought back to force extra-time on a 0-16 scoreline. However, the Dubs weren't to be denied as their stronger bench and greater scoring power saw them prevail.

The sides were level on 0-3 each after 14 minutes before Jim Gavin's men reeled off six unanswered scores per McManamon, Cormac Costello and Jonny Cooper, who replaced the injured Nicky Devereux, to open up a sizeable lead.

But Kildare, who were seeking to win their third O'Byrne Cup in-a-row, replied with points from Eamonn Murphy (free), Callaghan and Padraig O'Neill to trail by three at the short whistle, 0-7 to 0-10.

Callaghan resumed with two more points, but Dublin stayed three clear before a second O'Neill free and another from Mulhall left the minimum in it.

Fionn Dowling levelled the scoring at 0-13 apiece with 12 minutes remaining before Mulhall edged the home side in front. Rock and Brady replied, only for Mulhall and Fogarty tor restore Kildare's advantage.

But the little known Eoin Culligan forced extra-time for the Dubs as Mulhall missed a late free to win it for Jason Ryan's men after Macauley had lashed out at an opponent.

McManamon had his penalty saved by Mark Donnellan in extra-time, but with Brady and Rock to the fore, the Dubs were able to pull away.

Dublin - S Currie; E Culligan (0-1), R O'Carroll, M Fitzsimons; N Devereux, J Small, J McCaffrey; D Bastick, E O Conghaile; T Brady (0-3), D Rock (0-10, 8f, 1'45), N Scully; K McManamon (0-4), E O'Gara (0-2), C Costello (0-1). Subs: J Cooper (0-1) for N Devereux, S Carthy (0-2) for N Scully, P Ryan for C Costello, M D Macauley for D Bastick, D Daly for J McCaffrey, G Hannigan for J Cooper (BC), M Deegan for E O'Gara, H Dawson for T Brady, N Collins for K McManamon, D Bastick.

Kildare - M Donnellan; C Fitzpatrick, P Kelly, O Lyons; K Murnaghan, M O'Grady, E Doyle; H Lynch, P O'Neill (0-2); D O'Brien, E Callaghan (0-3), E Murphy (0-2f); F Dowling (0-1), T O'Connor, D Mulhall (0-7f). Subs: K Cribbin for E Doyle, G White (0-1) for H Lynch, G Farrell for C Fitzpatrick, P Fogarty (0-3) for E Murphy, D Whyte for F Dowling, B Kinihan for M O'Grady, W Burke for K Murnaghan.

Referee - D Gough.


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