St Kieran’s, Kilkenny defeat St Peter’s, Wexford in Corn Uí Dhuill final

St Kieran’s 1-14 St Peter’s 1-6

St Kieran's, Kilkenny, defending All-Ireland senior hurling colleges champions, struggled for best part of 40 minutes to impose themselves on St Peter's of Wexford at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow on Saturday before pulling away for an eight-point win in a Corn Uí Dhuill final dominated by a strong, swirling, crossfield wind.

St Peter’s put it up to the holders in a competitive opening half which produced only 11 scores, as Kieran’s led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break, having shot a total of 11 wides.

St Peter's shocked their opponents with a 32nd-minute goal from Jack Pettit which put them 1-4 to 0-6 ahead.

But St Kieran’s points from Joe Connolly (free) and Tadgh O’Dwyer put the Kilkenny side ahead.

The game's pivotal score came on 35 minutes when the St Kieran's midfielder Richie Leahy cut through the St Peter's defence to goal.

St Kieran's drove on from there to a merited win. The half was highlighted by a wonderful point from a line cut by Kieran's midfielder Jason Byrne.

ST KIERAN'S: A Mullen; M Cody, T Walsh, J Barron; J Keoghan, J Cleere, E Walsh; J Byrne (0-1, line ball), R Leahy (1-0); L Blanchfield (0-2), S Morrissey (0-2), J Connolly (0-3, frees); R Lahart (0-2, frees), B Ryan (0-3), T O'Dwyer (0-1). Subs: N Walsh for Lahart (27 mins), E Egan for E Walsh (56 mins), D O'Connor for Connolly (58 mins), M Keoghan for Cody (59 mins), E Kearney for Byrne (59 mins). ST PETER'S: O Foley; D Clarke, D Byrne, J Donohoe; C Murphy, A Maddock, G Malone; C Hearne, J Firman; J Pettitt (1-1), J O'Connor, R White; J L Meyler, M Joyce (0-2, one free), B Dunne (0-2, frees). Subs: R O'Connor (0-1) for Meyler (41 mins), O Saunders for Dunne (43 mins). Referee: P Murphy (Carlow).