27/10/2024

Go Ahead Ireland Junior D Hurling Championship Final
Somerton
FT: Castleknock 1 – 16 V 0 – 11 St Brigids

#CastleknockAbú💙💛

A Dublin 15 local derby added to the sense of excitement as Castleknock hosted St Brigids in the Junior D Hurling Championship final, on a grey morning in Somerton in front of a large crowd.

Understandably the game started in a nervy fashion with both teams slow to settle. After 5 minutes St Brigids opened the scoring with a fine point, which was replied to almost immediately with a long range free from Castleknock Captain, Joe Murray to leave the score at 0-1 to 0-1 after 8 minutes. David Strappe then nudged Castleknock ahead with a great score from play, but St Brigids playing with a slight wind advantage into the M50 goal got the next 2 scores, the first from play and the second from a 65 to retake the lead 0-2 to 0-3.

The low scoring nature of the game continued over the next 10 minutes, with every ball being fought fiercely over and both defences on top. Declan Tobin and Enda Slevin were particularly prominent in the Castleknock defence. During this period 2 pointed frees from Sean Dempsey kept the scoreboard ticking for Castleknock who led 0-4 to 0-3 after 20 minutes. St Brigids began to assert as the game headed towards half-time and equalised with a good point after 25 minutes, however they had a few wides during this period, and were therefore not able to take the lead as the half ended.

Half-time score: Castleknock 0-4 St Brigids 0-4

The second half began in a much more open manner and the play began to flow. St Brigids opened the scoring with a pointed free, but Castleknock replied with a fine point from play from Oisin Tolan from a tight angle on the clubhouse side of the pitch. Sean Dempsey then pointed 2 frees, the second from long range, and Rob O’Shea tagged on another point from play after a fine run to leave the score 0-8 to 0-5 in favour of Castleknock after 40 minutes.

St Brigids, sensing danger, fought back well scoring the next 2 points, the first from a free and the second from play. Castleknock then enjoyed a purple patch following the introduction of Brian Carter, Ben O’Neill and Conor Roche from the bench. Sean Dempsey scored a great long range point from play from the middle of the field, and then another long range free from the same player dropped awkwardly at the intersection of the cross-bar and post. The St Brigids goalkeeper did well to block the ball out, but Rob O’Shea reacted quickest to the loose ball with a neat ground stroke to the net from a tight angle for the first goal of the game. Castleknock’s purple patch continued with 2 further points from play, the first from Oisin Tolan was a mirror image of his point earlier in the half, and the second from Sean Dempsey also an excellent effort. The scoreboard now read 1-11 to 0-7 in Castleknock’s favour after 50 minutes, in a game that had been very tight up until then.

St Brigids then showed great character to respond with 4 points, 2 from play and 2 frees in as many minutes to narrow the deficit to 1-11 to 0-11. One point in particular fizzed just over the crossbar as St Brigids chased the game. A Sean Dempsey pointed free with 5 minutes to go calmed Castleknock’s nerves, and was followed quickly by points from play by Rob O’Shea, Conor Roche and Oisin Tolan, as the fresh legs that Castleknock had introduced were now making a big impact. As the game entered injury time Castleknock led by 1-15 to 0-11.

The final score of the game came from Conor Roche who slalomed down the right wing and struck a great point off his hurley to leave the final score Castleknock 1-16 St Brigids 0-11.

Amid wild celebrations Castleknock Team Captain Joe Murray accepted the Cup on behalf of the Team. The game was played in a fine spirit with both teams a credit to their clubs. For this Castleknock team, this win means that they have won 2 championships in 3 seasons having won the Junior E Championship in 2022 which is a special achievement. The heady heights of Junior C await for both teams in 2025, as St Brigids have to be congratulated also for winning promotion.

Castleknock Panel: Alex Conroy, Andrew Hughes, Ben Foley, Ben O Neill, Brian Birmingham, Brian Carter, Ciaran O Flannagain, Conan Feeney, Conor Roche, David Strappe, Declan Tobin, Ed Forrest, Enda Slevin, Eoin Monaghan, Euan Kavanagh, Hugh Golden, Joe Murray, Killian Slater, Mark Connellan, Murrough McKinley, Oisin O’Neill, Oisin Tolan, Orin Connolly, Rob O Shea, Ross O Carroll, Sean Curtis, Sean Dempsey, Tom Griffith