Kieran’s strike late to see off Kilkenny CBS in Leinster Dr Barry Hurling Final

Local bragging rights went the way of St Kieran’s after they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to overcome Kilkenny CBS in the Dr Barry Leinster Second Year hurling ‘A’ Final in UPMC Nowlan Park.

It was an open contest between the city neighbours and the CBS looked the more likely winners when seven points on the trot gave them the lead going down the stretch but a goal for Kieran’s from centre back Sean Cororan gave them the edge as they sealed a narrow one point success.

The final was the perfect opportunity to see some of the new talent coming through the younger age grades in Kilkenny and for the most part there, was little between the teams.

A different scenario appeared to be on the cards in the early minutes though as Kieran’s raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead through scores from Sam Norton and three efforts via placed balls by Liam Corcoran.

The CBS belatedly got on the board when JJ Cahill scored from play in the 13th minute but the onslaught from the Saints wasn’t holding up and with Corcoran adding on two more efforts, there was five points between the teams by the halfway mark of the half (0-6 to 0-1).

CBS did grow into proceedings however and they quickly rifled off six points on the spin to go into the lead before the break.

Points from play by Dylan Thornton and JJ Cahill arrived before Cahill levelled up the game with two well taken efforts from play.

The O’Loughlin Gaels man was proving hugely elusive in attack and he still had time to point his fifth effort of the half as the James Street outfit hit the front for the first time.

A Liam Corcoran free then ended a 16 minute scoreless spell for Kieran’s as the teams went into the dressing rooms level at 0-7 apiece.

Kieran’s looked like they might go clear when Liam Corcoran, Ben Fitzpatrick, Sam Norton and Tadhg Kennedy all pointed at the start of the second half but like the first half, CBS came bouncing back.

Harry Barcoe and JJ Cahill hit a combined seven points in a devastating spell that looked like it would give CBS victory but Kieran’s showed all their fighting spirit when a Liam Corcoran free left open the dangerous lead of two points and the side in black and white took their chance when Sean Corcoran blasted the ball to the net to secure the win.

Teams and Scorers

St Kieran’s College: Liam Corcoran (0-8, 5fs and 1 '65); Sean Cororan (1-0); Sam Norton (0-3); Ben Fitzpatrick, Tadhg Kennedy (0-1 each)

Kilkenny CBS: JJ Cahill (0-10, 6fs); Harry Barcoe (0-3); Dylan Thornton (0-2)

St Kieran’s College: Daniel McCullough; Hamish Carey, Eoin Philpott, Conor Power; Paddy McCarthy, Sean Corcoran, Henry Phelan; Lori Hogan, Sam Norton; Billy Rohan, Tadhg Kennedy, Dara Carroll; Liam Corcoran, Ben Fitzpatrick, Charlie Teehan.

Kilkenny CBS: Rhys Hayes; Evan O’Dwyer, Conor Henderson, Sam Corr; Fionn Conlon, Michael Meany, Lucas Duggan; Dylan Thornton, Conor Roche; Billy Wyse, JJ Cahill, Henry Sinnott; Jules Seagrave, Harry Barcoe, Tom Henderson.