Dublin Colleges reached their second successive Leinster final with a fully merited six-point win over Kilkenny CBS at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow, yesterday.
In a competitive semi-final the difference between the sides were the two goals scored in the 15th and 16th minutes by Dublin Colleges' talented full forward Stephen Fee. Those goals enabled the Dublin side to lead 2-4 to 0-3 at half-time.
Kilkenny CBS rallied in the 10 minutes after half-time to reduce the leeway to three points, mainly through the accuracy of free-taker Brian Lannon who accounted for eight points of their tally.
However, Dublin Colleges always had an edge in their ability to pick off scores from long range. It was also significant that both their midfielders and all six forwards scored while Kilkenny were almost exclusively dependent on Lannon.
In the end the Dublin side were clearcut winners, their all-round ability proving too much for a Kilkenny side which lacked a cutting edge in attack.
Dublin Colleges: K Hannafin; N O'Driscoll, L Og O'hEineacha in, D O'Reilly; G Bennett, I Franzoni, S Daly; S Hyland (0-2), C Keaney (0-1); S O'Neill (0-1), K Elliot (0-1), B Meade (0-1); S McCann (0-1), S Fee (2-1), D O'Callaghan (0-2). Sub: S Quinn for Meade.
Kilkenny CBS: C Hoyne; E Campion, D Campion, N Grogan; J Cleere, B Barry, P Cullinane; R Hayes, N Tyrrell (0-1); C O'Loughlin (0-1), B Lannon (0-8), N Bergin; E McCormack, J Kennedy, M Shorthall. Subs: T Lahart for Shorthall, I Dowling for McCormack.
Referee: J Kelly (Wexford).
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