Dublin’s bid for a second Leinster U20 Crown in a month was foiled by a dominant Galway finish in O’Moore Park
Leinster U20 Hurling Final
Dublin 0-15
Galway 2-15
O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
A goal in both halves was ultimately the deciding factor when the final whistle was blown on the 2021 Leinster U20 Hurling Final. And Galway reaped their revenge on Dublin only a month after they’d been crowned 2020 Champions.
The sides were level at half time on a 0-10 to 1-07 scoreline. Heartbreaking for Dublin’s keeper Ben Hynes as he failed to control a high ball in the eight minute only to watch Oisin Flannery pounce to raise a green flag for the Tribesmen.
And that pushed Galway into a 1-02 to 0-04 lead after Ciaran Foley (2), Dara Purcell and Kavin Lahiff had given Dublin a roaring start.
2 points seperated the sides at the water break with Galway in teh ascendancy, but frees from Foley tied the sides before Patrick Dunleavy pushed Dublin’s noses in front. Cat and mouse ensued when O’Shea pointed a brace to give Galway a 0-02 lead. But Lahiff and Purcell finished the half strong for Dublin drawing the competition level.
A polished Galway in defence and attack pushed them on for the win
An early Donal Leavy point got Galway up and running after the break. But disaster struck for Dublin as John Cooney soloed through the Dublin defence and rocketed the ball into the top corner of Ben Hynes’ net to give Galway their second goal.
The Tribesmen never relinquished their lead, despite 10 second half wides. Apart from the goalkeeping prowess of Hynes Dublin sadly had no answer.
A late points from Sean McDonagh, and a seventh of the evening from O’Shea secured the title for Galway and a place in the All-Ireland final on Saturday week.
Dublin Scorers:
Ciaran Foley 0-08 (6f, 1 ’65)
Dara Purcell 0-02
Kevin Lahiff 0-02
Patrick Dunleavy 0-02
Donal Leavy 0-01
Galway Scorers:
Donal O’Shea 0-07 (4f)
Oisin Flannery 1-02
Sean McDonagh 0-03 (0-01 sideline)
John Cooney 1-00
Jason Donohue 0-01
Niall Collins 0-01
Sean Neary 0-01
Dublin:
1. Ben Hynes
2. Davy Crowe
3. Brian Sheehy
4. Iain O Heithir
5. Paddy Doyle
6. Cian Ó Cathasaigh
7. Patrick Dunleavy
8. Darragh Power
9. Donal Leavy
10. Darach McBride
11. Kevin Lahiff
12. Pádhraic Linehan
13. Ciaran Foley
14. Seamus Fenton
15. Dara Purcell
Dublin Substitutes:
20. Cian Boyle for McBride (41)
21. Liam Dunne for Lahiff (50)
24. Joe Flanagan for Linehan (55)
Galway:
1. Paddy Rabbitte
2. Eoin Lawless
3. Eoghan Geraghty
4. Christy Brennan
5. Shane Quirke
6. Sean Neary
7. Evan Duggan
8. Ian McGlynn
9. Jason Donohue
10. Diarmuid Kilcommins
11. Sean McDonagh
12. John Cooney
13. Niall Collins
14. Donal O’Shea
15. Oisin Flannery
Galway Substitutes:
23. Alex Connaire for O’Donoghue (45)
22. Greg Thomas for Kilcommins (46)
19. Adam Nolan for Duggan (51)
18. Liam Collins for N Collins (56)
24. Colm Cunningham for McGlynn (59)