Terry Healy, Wicklow, and Shane Conway, Kerry, in action at Semple Stadium.
Bord Gais Energy All Ireland Under 21 B Hurling Final
KERRY 2-12 WICKLOW 2-8
By Cian O'Connell at Semple Stadium, Thurles
Maurice O’Connor pounced for the decisive goal as Kerry produced a solid second period display to secure silverware in Thurles.
Inspired by the efficient Shane Conway, who finished with a 1-6 haul, Kerry just had too much attacking craft for a spirited Wicklow outfit.
Michael Boland’s 24th minute goal was an important first half score for Wicklow, who departed at the break armed with a 1-5 to 0-6 lead.
Kerry had started brightly with Shane Conway sharp from frees, while Ronan Donavan and Maurice O’Connor landed scores from play.
Four Kerry points on the spin ensured they led by 0-5 to 0-3 by the 17th minute, but Wicklow responded as Boland mined an opportunistic goal following a Stephen Murphy save from a Seanie Germaine effort.
That major helped Wicklow into an interval advantage, but Kerry came thundering back in the third quarter to level courtesy of points from Jack Goulding (sideline cut) and Shane Conway.
Shane Conway impressed for Kerry at Semple Stadium.
It remained keenly contested as Enda Donohoe and Conway traded frees before both teams pocketed goals inside a minute.
Boland concluded a sweeping and stylish move with a Wicklow goal, but Conway replied for Kerry to level matters, 1-9 to 2-6, at the three quarter mark.
But Kerry subsequently hit the front in the 48th minute when Maurice O’Connor flicked a goal for Ian Brick’s charges.
Wicklow trimmed the gap down to the minimum again, but Kerry finished strongly with substitute Daniel O’Carroll and two Conway frees sealing the deal.
Scorers for Kerry: Shane Conway 1-6 (6fs), Maurice O’Connor 1-1, Jack Goulding 0-3 (1 sideline), Ronan Donovan and Daniel O’Carroll 0-1 each.
Scorers for Wicklow: Michael Boland 2-0, Enda Donohoe 0-3 (3fs), Jack Doyle and Seanie Germaine (2fs) 0-2 each, Shaun Hughes 0-1.
KERRY: Stephen Murphy; Stevie O’Sullivan, John Buckley, Billy Lyons; Eoin Ross, Jason Diggins, Jordan Brick; Barry O’Sullivan, Tomas O’Connor; Ronan Donovan, Michael O’Leary, Shane Conway; Maurice O’Connor, Brandon Barrett, Jack Goulding.
Subs: Daniel O’Carroll for Ronan Donovan (46), Robert Collins for Brandon Barrett (51).
WICKLOW: Cian Staunton; Shaun Hughes, Oisin Furlong, Seanie Maloney; Matthew Traynor, Andrew Hughes, Terry Healy; Christy Moorehouse, Cormac Whitmore; Gary Hughes, Jack Doyle, Michael Boland; Enda Donohoe, Padraig Doyle, Seanie Germaine.
Subs: Padraig O’Toole for Cormac Whitmore (32), Tiernan Mellon for Terry Healy (44), Aaron Kinsella for Jack Doyle (59).
REFEREE: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).
