Kilkenny CBS 2-13
St Kieran’s (Kilkenny) 0-13
JAMIE BYRNE WAS the man of the moment as Kilkenny CBS scored an impressive win over city rivals St Kieran’s College in today’s final in Nowlan Park.
Byrne’s two first half goals proved to be the difference as the CBS retained their Leinster schools senior hurling title.
After a tight start the CBS held a slender lead thanks to Luke Scanlon and Robbie Buckley, but surged in front when full-forward Byrne flicked the sliotar home from the edge of the square with 10 minutes on the clock.
The goal proved to be the catalyst for the James’s Street school, as they followed up with a swift treble. Andrew Gaffney (free, 65) and a fine point from a tight angle by Robbie Murphy, pushed them into a seven-point lead by the end of the quarter (1-5 to 0-1).
Kieran’s did lift their game after that, fighting back with points from Brian Cody (2), Billy Ryan and Robbie Donnelly, but they couldn’t get too close to a CBS side who maintained the upper hand.
Gaffney (2) and J.P. Treacy kept them comfortably ahead, but they surged clear when Byrne pounced to boot the sliotar home after Gaffney’s 29th minute free was beaten out (2-8 to 0-5).
The CBS maintained that lead throughout the second half, staying ahead thanks to the accuracy of free-taker Andrew Gaffney (0-3). Robbie Donnelly (0-5) led the Kieran’s reply, but those two Byrne goals proved to be a gap they couldn’t bridge.
Scorers for Kilkenny CBS: Jamie Byrne 2-1, Andrew Gaffney 0-7 (0-4f, 0-2 ’65), JP Treacy 0-2), Luke Scanlon, Robbie Buckley, Robbie Murphy 0-1 each.
Scorers for St Kieran’s College: Robbie Donnelly 0-7 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Brian Cody 0-3, Billy Ryan, Liam Blanchfield, James Maher 0-1 each.
KILKENNY CBS: Darragh Holohan (Dicksboro); Kevin Galvin (Clara), Cathal McGrath (John Lockes), Conor Doheny (Dicksboro); Gary Bryan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Evan Cody (Dicksboro), Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels); Niall Mullins (James Stephens), JP Treacy (Young Irelands); Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), Luke Scanlon (James Stephens), Andrew Gaffney (Dicksboro); Robbie Buckley (O’Loughlin Gaels), Jamie Byrne (James Stephens), Robbie Murphy (Dicksboro).
Subs: Danny Bolger (O’Loughlin Gaels) for Cody (52), Matthew McWey (James Stephens) for Murphy (57).
ST KIERAN’S: Jason Barcoe (Clara),; Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Eoin Walsh (Lisdowney), Jason Cleere (Bennettsbridge); Darren Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks), James Maher (St Lachtain’s), Jack Keoghan (Tullaroan); Kevin Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Jason Byrne (Clara); Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), Daniel O’Connor (O’Loughlin Gaels), Niall Walsh (Windgap); Robbie Donnelly (Thomastown), Billy Ryan (Graigue-Ballycallan), Brian Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks).
Subs: Josh Haines (John Lockes) for N. Walsh (ht), Michael Cody (Dunnamaggin) for Keoghan (ht), Paul White (St Lachtain’s) for E. Walsh (43), R Lahart (James Stephens) for Ryan (47), Tadhg O’Dwyer (James Stephens) for O’Connor (47).