Leinster JHC- Second half surge helps Freshford see off Avondale

Freshford booked their place in the Leinster Junior Hurling Championship Final after producing a ruthless second half display to see off Wicklow's Avondale in Bray Emmets earlier this afternoon.

On a very breezy day for hurling, the Kilkenny side made full use of the conditions as they outscored their opponents 3-13 to 0-1 in the second period with Darren Brennan, Darragh Maher and Alexander Rafter getting the goals for Stephen Farrell's outfit.

Up to the interval, Avondale had played their part in a decent contest with midfielder Zach Cullen helping his side into a half-time lead on a 0-10 to 1-5 scoreline but the home team's reliance on Cullen for scores was very obvious as he got all but two points for his side over the 60 minutes.

Shane Donnelly had goaled inside three minutes for St Lachtain's and the winners duly went four points clear but they failed to score from the 17th minute on in the opening half.

The second half was a much different story however and the strength of the gale force wind was shown when a Darren Brennan clearance from his own half went all the way to the net and from that point on, it was all plain sailing for the side in black and amber.

It took until the 51st minute for Avondale to register a score in the second half but by then St Lachtain's had already notched 3-11 without reply and they can now enjoy a week off next weekend before facing either St Fechin's (Louth) or Castletown Mellows (Wexford) in the final on Saturday, December 7th.

Teams and Scorers

St Lachtain's- Shane Donnelly, Darragh Maher (1-3 each); Cathal O'Leary (0-5, 0-2 65's and 0-1 free); Alexander Rafter (1-1); Darren Brennan (1-0); James Maher (0-3); Liam Hickey, Brian Kennedy, Alan Rafter (0-1 each)

Avondale- Zach Cullen (0-9, 0-8 frees); Keith Byrne, Gearoid Murphy (0-1 each)

St Lachtain's- Darren Brennan; Shane Dawson, Criomhthann Bergin, Simon Rafter; Padraig Donnelly, Brian Kennedy, Cathal Hickey; Brendan Quinn, James Maher; Alexander Rafter, Paddy Killeen, Cathal O'Leary; Liam Hickey, Darragh Maher, Shane Donnelly.

Avondale- Ray Nolan; Liam Dickenson, Conor Sheehan, Darragh Owens; Shane Browne, Eamonn Kearns, Keith Byrne; Shane Byrne, Zach Cullen; Cathal Baker, Gearoid Murphy, Eugene Dunne; Torna Mulconry, Karl Phelan, Eanna Owens.

Referee- James McGrath (Westmeath)