Gaelic Games

Kilkenny claim Leinster minor title after four-point win over Dublin

A seven-point tally from Jake Mullen was crucial as Cats made up for earlier round-robin defeat

Kilkenny's Jake Mullen. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Kilkenny's Jake Mullen. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
Sun May 26 2024 - 12:53
Leinster MHC final: Dublin 1-9 Kilkenny 1-13

Kilkenny are celebrating another Leinster Minor Hurling Championship victory after claiming a four-point success over Dublin in Portlaoise.

A second half Ollie O’Donovan goal as well as a seven-point tally from Jake Mullen was crucial as the Cats made up for an earlier round-robin defeat against the same opposition.

Dublin played against a strong breeze in the opening half but they looked in a decent spot when an Eoghan Brennan goal ensured that there was only two points between the sides at the end of the first half with Jake Mullen being the only Kilkenny forward to score from play.

Mullen caused huge problems to the Dublin defence throughout and his role was pivotal at the start of the second half when Kilkenny started motoring and with Conor Holohan, Robbie Doherty and Eoin Brennan pointing, the Cats moved into a decent lead.

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That advantage was increased when O’Donovan scored a brilliant individual goal in what turned out to be Kilkenny’s final score.

Dublin rallied inside the final 1- minutes with late scores from Cathal O’Flynn, Tommy Cullen and Rory Flannery and while there was an odd scare or two, Kilkenny held out to secure a 1-13 to 1-9 win.

Kilkenny: J O’Doherty; O Henderson (0-1), L Phelan, B Brennan; D Barcoe (0-1), J Dollard, M Rohan; R Doherty (0-2), K Buggy; E Brennan (0-1), B McDermott, C Holohan (0-1); O O’Donovan (1-0), J Cody, J Mullen (0-7, five frees). Subs: E Cahill for McDermott (50), C Byrne for Cody (50).

Dublin: P Ryan; M Byrne, S Dunphy, R Duffy; C Quinn, C O’Flynn (0-1), T Cullen (0-2); J Norris, F Codd; E Brennan (1-0), R Flannery (0-3, two frees, one 65), F Daly; D Kilduff (0-1), T Higgins (0-1), K Costello (0-1). Subs: S Bolger for Higgins (h-t), C Barrett for Costello (41), C Fitzgerald for Duffy (46), O Brennan for E Brennan (46), A Ryan for Codd (61).

Referee: Matty Redmond (Kildare)