Plunkett and Quinn provide the late goals as Dublin claim Leinster crown

LEINSTER UNDER-21 HC FINAL:Dublin 2-15 Wexford 0-15

DUBLIN CLAIMED their first provincial title in three years after a narrow victory over Wexford in the Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship Final at Parnell Park last night. It required two late goals from Daire Plunkett and substitute David Quinn to eventually confirm their superiority.

The final margin was harsh on Wexford, who were the dominant side in the opening half and will reflect on only leading by a single point at the interval.

Following the tug-of-love concerning the availability of Rory O’Carroll, Dublin lined out without the services of the Kilmacud Crokes dual player.

And his absence had an unsettling effect on the hosts as they made a nervous start, conceding an early score to Emmet Kent inside 40 seconds.

It took a long-distance free from senior player John Kelly to restore parity on four minutes but Wexford were far more incisive throughout the opening minutes with Liam Óg McGovern particularly lively, and his fifth-minute point restored the visitors’ lead.

McGovern was to prove the dominant player in the first half, scoring four points from play and the St Anne’s player received great support from fellow half-forward Shane Tomkins, who amassed six points over the hour.

Dublin were indebted to Shane Stapleton and Plunkett to keep them in touch as the half progressed but increased profligacy by their team-mates undermined their improved levels of possession once Barry ORorke moved out to midfield.

Dublin were far stronger upon the resumption with Plunkett and Niall McMorrow keeping them in touch with a Wexford side now almost totally reliant on the free-taking of Tomkins for scores, although Kent managed to fire over a sublime point on 40 minutes to stretch their advantage to two points.

However, the remainder of the half belonged to the hosts and Plunketts barnstorming run and finish on 50 minutes, following a beautiful pass from David Treacy gave Dublin the incentive to confirm their tag as favourites.

Further points from Plunkett and the previously subdued Liam Rushe preceded Dublin’s clinching goal as substitutes Ciaran Brennan, Aodhán McEnerney and Quinn combined for the latter to crash home from close range and secure Dublin’s fourth Under-21 crown at provincial level.

DUBLIN:F McGarry; R Walsh, D Kelly, O Gough; R OLoughlin, M Quilty, P Kelly (0-1, free); C Clinton, P Buckeridge; S Stapleton (0-3, three frees), L Rushe (0-1), D Plunkett (1-3); B ORorke, D Treacy (0-3, two frees), N McMorrow (0-3). Subs: D Quinn (1-0) for Stapleton (39 mins), Aodhán McEnerney for Clinton (46 mins), D Whelan 0-1 for OLoughlin (49 mins), C Brennan for McMorrow (57 mins).

WEXFORD:M Fanning; B McCormack, M OHanlon, E Doyle; S Murphy, A Shore, M OHanlon; E Moore (0-1, free), M ORegan; L Óg McGovern (0-4), S Tomkins (0-6, four frees), H Kehoe (0-1); E Kent (0-2), J Gahan, J Reck. Subs: P Morris for Murphy (16 mins), J Leacy (0-1) for Reck (33 mins), P Donnelly for OHanlon (53 mins), T OLeary for Kent (60 mins).

Referee:D Connolly (Kilkenny).