ST KIERAN's, Kilkenny, rode their luck to the limit and just scraped through when they snatched back the Leinster Colleges senior hurling championship title from Good Counsel (Wexford) in a gripping final at NowIan Park yesterday.

The winners claimed their 43rd provincial crown, but they would be the first to admit they were very fortunate. Good Counsel simply could not finish, and were over reliant on Michael Doyle, who grabbed all but two of their scores.

There was little or nothing between the teams during the opening half. Twice the scores were level, including a 0-5 to 1-2 at half-time. During a tense third quarter, St Kieran's added a point through JP O'Neill and then a good goal by Jimmy Coogan to open out a 1-6 to 1-2 lead.

The losers hit back with points from Michael Doyle (2) and Paul Sheehan to leave the minimum between the teams with five minutes remaining. Padraig Delaney then had St Kieran's only score of the closing quarter. it turned out to be the winner.