Dublin South 1-13 Castlecomer CS 1-12: CASTLECOMER CS almost pulled off a late victory in yesterday's Corn Uí Dhúill clash in O'Toole Park. The visitors relied heavily on scores from 2008 All-Ireland minor-winning captain Tom Breen and fellow Kilkenny panellist Canice Maher, in a game that went right down to the very last puck.
The home side got off to the perfect start when prolific free-taker Seán McGrath raised the green flag after his long range free deceived the Castlecomer goalkeeper Gary Delaney.
And despite some impressive shooting from Breen, Dublin South managed to stay in front, with Mark Schutte giving a very impressive display at full forward.
A run of five points, including an excellent sideline cut from 2008 Dublin minor Kevin O'Loughlin, saw Dublin South lead 1-7 to 0-4 at the interval.
Breen then found the back of the net off a Maher free on 46 minutes to put just two points between the sides, a lead which Dublin South managed to keep intact heading into injury-time.
Castlecomer were then awarded a free and with the referee about to blow up, the visitors had no choice but to go for goal only for Maher to see his effort cleared off the line and over the crossbar.
DUBLIN SOUTH: G MacManus; R Cole, E Young, K Doherty; O Connor, B O'Carroll, R Hardy; D Murphy, D Sutcliffe; P Elliott (0-1), C Brennan (0-1), K O'Loughlin (0-1, sideline); S McGrath (1-9, 1-8 frees), M Schutte (0-1), B Mulligan. Subs: J Breen for Murphy (41 mins); P Holden for Mulligan (44 mins).
CASTLECOMER: G Delaney; A Daly, E Brophy, S Staunton; P Harding, A Moran, J Morrissey; G Callinane (0-1), T Breen (1-7); M O'Neill, G Kavanagh, M O'Dwyer; L Leacy, C Maher (0-4, 03 frees, 0-1 65), S Ruth. Subs: J Murphy for Leacy 50 mins.
Referee: D O'Donovan ( St Marks).
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