O'Donovan goal seals 60th Leinster MHC crown for Kilkenny

May 25, 2024

Kilkenny captain Bill McDermott lifts the Hanrahan Cup ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Kilkenny are Leinster minor hurling champions for the first time in three years thanks to a 1-13 to 1-9 victory over Dublin in Portlaoise this afternoon.

Ollie O’Donovan’s goal in the 48th minute proved key as the Cats edged their capital counterparts for a 60th provincial triumph in the grade.

Niall Bergin’s lads had enjoyed a better start to the decider that saw them 0-4 to 0-1 up inside the opening six minutes before Dublin narrowed the difference to one and struck an Eoghan Brennan goal in the 12th minute.

The points of Robbie Doherty and Jake Mullen (free) levelled things by the quarter hour mark and Kilkenny would move towards a 0-9 to 1-4 interval lead thanks to a hat-trick of frees from Mullen.

The black and ambers pushed their advantage out five after the turnaround and, after Dublin responded with a Darragh Kilduff point, O’Donovan smashed in to make it a seven-point game.

The Cats wouldn’t let their lead slip from there and four-point win in the end would see skipper Bill McDermott collecting the Hanrahan Cup on his county’s behalf.  


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