Sport

Dublin book spot in Leinster final

Leinster Under-21 SHC semi-final/ Dublin 3-12 Wexford 2-14 : Dual star Diarmuid Connolly lined out for the under-21 hurlers …

Thu Jun 21 2007 - 01:00

Leinster Under-21 SHC semi-final/ Dublin 3-12 Wexford 2-14: Dual star Diarmuid Connolly lined out for the under-21 hurlers in Parnell Park last night as Seán Lane's side booked their place in the provincial decider. And the St Vincent's man made a big early contribution to Dublin's win.

The game was in its second minute when a long ball played in by Dublin wing back, Keith Dunne, unhinged the Wexford defence. Declan O'Dwyer got a free run-in on goal and fired past goalkeeper Éanna Martin.

Then a minute later Diarmuid Connolly picked up possession on the edge of the square and although his first effort was blocked, he followed up to fire home at the second attempt.

Wexford, after the poor start, began to make headway with corner forward Nicky Kirwan landing back-to-back frees to leave the score reading 2-1 to 0-3 with 12 minutes gone.

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But with Danny Webster giving an assured display at right-corner back, successive scores from Alan McCrabbe brought the gap back to six points again.

Dublin went into the break 2-8 to 0-7 to the good thanks to late scores from acting captain Eoin Moran and Dunne.

Although registering three early second half wides, Kirwan released Garret Sinnott for Wexford's first goal on 37 minutes.

A point for PJ Nolan, Wexford's third on the trot, then made it 2-12 to 1-13 before McCrabbe released Peadar Carton for Dublin's third goal with seven minutes remaining.

However, there were some anxious moments for Dublin when Sinnott struck in the final minute of normal time to leave just a point between the two teams

DUBLIN: P Curtin, R Drumgoole, P O'Callaghan, D Webster, K Dunne (0-1), T Brady, C Connolly, J Boland, A McCrabbe (0-7, 6f, one 65), E Moran (0-1), D Connolly (1-0), S Lehane, P Carton (1-1), D O'Dwyer (1-0), R O'Carroll (0-2). Subs: M McGarry for C Connolly (14 mins), S Loughlin for Webster (39 mins), C Lane for Lehane (41 mins, blood), R Walker for Callaghan (46 mins), C Lane for Louglin (57 mins).

WEXFORD: E Martin, B Kehoe, C Lawler (0-1), B Kenny, R Kehoe (0-2, 2f), T Waters, B Malone, E Quigley, T Dwyer (0-1), D Redmond, B O'Connor (0-1), PJ Nolan (0-4), N Kirwan (0-5, all frees), G Sinnott (2-0), C O'Connor. Subs: F Cullen for Waters (25 mins), C Lyng for Quigley (h-t), D Goff for O'Connor (50 mins), G Flood for O'Connor (56 mins).

Referee: R O'Holohan(Kildare)