U-16 ‘B’ Dublin County Hurling Final

Coolmine Community School    3 – 14                      St. MacDara’s             3 – 11

A superb team performance ensured that Coolmine Community School emerged victorious in the Dublin Junior ‘B’ hurling final at O ’Toole Park against a brave St. MacDara’s team. Playing with the wind in the first half they made a superb start to the game with a point from Collie Carr inside the first minute. This was immediately cancelled out with a point by Niall Cronin for McDara’s. However Coolmine surged into the lead with points from Joey O Callaghan, Connor Brennan and Colm Foley (the pick of which was a side-line cut from 45m by O Callaghan) to leave Coolmine 4 points to the good with a quarter of an hour gone. MacDara’s replied with a free before Foley struck the first of his 3 goals on 20 minutes. O Callaghan played him in and even though his first shot was blocked he managed to stick it into the net at the second attempt. With O Callaghan and Carr dominating midfield further points from Tremble and Murray ensured that Coolmine kept the scoreboard ticking over. Foley then popped up with the score of the game, a rocket of a shot that found the back of the net from just outside the 21. At this stage it looked like Coolmine would run away with the game, however full credit must go to MacDara’s for their never say die attitude as 2 frees from Grogan and 2 goals either side of the break from Roche brought them right back into the game. With the score now reduced to 2-8 to 2-5 Coolmine were put under severe pressure. However strong play from James Martin, Michael Dunleavy, Sean Brady and Gavin O Brien helped keep MacDara’s at bay and when Foley struck for his third goal the writing was on the wall for MacDara’s. Soon afterwards Gavin O Brien hit a great point from half back to leave Coolmine 7 points up on the stroke of time. Roche put a more respectable look on the scoreline with a goal and a point in injury. When the referee blew the final whistle there were delirious scenes as the Coolmine players celebrated their deserved victory. Colm Foley was the deserved man of the match and was ably assisted by Collie Carr, James Martin and Joey O Callaghan.

Pictures of match are here.