Bord Gais Energy Leinster Under 21 Hurling Final

Dublin 2-15 Offaly 1-10

By Kevin Egan at O'Connor Park

Dublin withstood a spirited first half effort from Offaly at O’Connor Park in Tullamore tonight before eventually exerting their defensive dominance in the second half cruising to an eight point win in the final of the Bórd Gáis Leinster under-21 hurling championship.

The Faithful County were chasing a first Leinster title at this grade in 16 years and in front of a large, partisan crowd of 4,709 spectators, they wasted no time in throwing themselves into the fray.

Paddy Delaney and Ben Conneely, both graduates of their 2015 minor team, helped to keep Dublin without a score from play for 28 minutes while at the other end of the field, Oisín Kelly’s goal from a penalty after 12 minutes helped to build their self-confidence.

At 1-6 to 0-5 in front at the interval, the stage was set for the home side to push on. but Dublin instead wasted no time in setting the tone, firing over a point after 13 seconds – the first of four second half points from play from Andrew Jamieson-Murphy – and with just ninety seconds on the clock they were level following Seán Treacy’s low finish.

Forwards Emmet Nolan and Oísin Kelly had caused Dublin plenty of problems as a two man inside forward line and they each earned frees that were converted by Dylan Murray to put Offaly two up again, however a route one catch and finish from Treacy gave Dublin their first lead of the game after 40 minutes and they were never headed from that moment on.

The introduction of Cian Boland helped them win plenty more breaking ball around the middle third, Cian Mac Gabhann took control of the centre back berth and Jake Malone burst forward to great effect for Dublin as they gradually took control of the tie, and while a series of wides prevented them from really burning off the Offaly challenge – they racked up 12 in all - four points in a row in a five minute spell at the start of the final quarter were crucial.

Scorers for Dublin: S Treacy 2-2 (1f, 165), C Bennett (3fs, 165) and A Jamieson-Murphy 0-4 each, J Malone 0-2, C Mac Gabhann, R McBride & S O’Ríain 0-1 each.

**Scorers for Offaly: **D Murray 0-5 4fs), O Kelly 1-0 pen, E Nolan 0-2, C Doughan (f) and L Langton 0-1 each.

Dublin: J Treacy; J Madden, E O’Donnell, C Hendricken; S Barrett, C Mac Gabhann, J Bellew; J Malone, M McCallion; A Jamieson-Murphy, R McBride, E Conroy; S Treacy, S O’Riain, C Bennett.  

Subs: C Boland for McCallion (23), C O’Neill for Bennett (44), P O’Dea for Hendricken (51), F Ó’Ríain Broin for Malone (55), E McHugh for Conroy (57).

Offaly:  E Cahill; C Doughan, D O’Toole-Greene, P Delaney; D Healy, B Conneely, D Doughan; D Wyer, P Guinan; J O’Toole-Greene, D Murray, R Hughes; A Cleary, E Nolan, O Kelly.

Subs: C O’Brien for Healy (19), C Freeman for Cleary (44), JP Cleary for Hughes (51), L Langton for Wyer (53), E Parlon for Guinan (60+2).

Referee: A Devine (Westmeath).