St Lachtain's claim Leinster glory after thrilling win over Castletown Liam Mellows

A 52nd minute Cian Dawson goal was ultimately the difference as St Lachtain's held on to defeat Wexford's Castletown Liam Mellows in the AIB Leinster Junior Club Hurling Final.

It was an end to end contest that saw the teams share three goals in the opening five minutes and while Castletown will feel that they were rather unlucky to miss out, Steven Farrell's Freshford team took their chance as they became the 14th team from the county to secure provincial honours in the grade.

Dawson's goal inside the final ten minutes provided a massive momentum shift as Castletown were still leading prior to that goal and it gave the Kilkenny side something they could hold on to.

Earlier in the half, a kicked Robbie Brooks effort gave the defeated side a four point buffer on the scoreboard but they only scored one point in the final 20 minutes or so as St Lachtain's made their experience count.

The first half was chaotic with James Maher and Shane Donnelly both finding the net for Freshford in the opening five minutes as they rebounded well after Jack Higgins netted with the first score of the game for Castletown.

Freshford were unable to build on that decent opening as Castletown went into the break with a one point lead as free taker Eoin Cullen stood out on placed balls.

St Lachtain's had wind advantage at their back in the second period but it was only in the final quarter that they got motoring with Liam Hickey and John Fitzpatrick both pointing before Dawson pounced for the crucial goal.

Eoin Cullen's seventh point of the game left the minimum in it going into stoppage time and the Castletown full forward had another free opportunity to level up the game but his shot dropped short.

The final whistle went a couple of minutes later as Freshford set up an All-Ireland semi-final date with Easkey of Sligo in Ballinasloe next Sunday.

Teams and Scorers

St Lachtain’s: James Maher, Shane Donnelly (1-1 each); Cian Dawson (1-0); Liam Hickey (0-3); Cathal O’Leary (0-2, 0-1 free); Paddy Killeen, John Fitzpatrick (0-1 each)

Castletown Liam Mellows: Eoin Cullen (0-7, 0-6 frees); Jack Higgins (1-1); Robbie Brooks (1-0); Ross Cody (0-2)

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

Donnelly.

Subs: Cian Dawson for D.Maher (37 mins); John Fitzpatrick for Killeen (44 mins); Padraig Donnelly for J.Maher (46 mins); Alan Rafter for O’Leary (56 mins).

Castletown Liam Mellows: Gavin Stamp; Dylan Goland, Danny Gardiner, Frank Roche; Robbie Brooks, Colin Kennedy, Richard Farrell; Rory Heffernan, Ross Cody; Jack Higgins, Joe Gardiner, Aaron Condren; Conor Carty, Eoin Cullen, Doran Daly

O'Toole.

Subs: Sean Og Stafford for Gardiner (36 mins); Andy Merrigan for Condren (58 mins);

Risteard Kinsella for Higgins (63 mins).

Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare)