DCU down UL to retain All-Ireland Freshers crown
March 21, 2018
DCU celebrate their Freshers final victory over UL in Stradbally. Photo credit: @DCUGAAAcademy
DCU 1-20
UL 1-15
DCU retained the All-Ireland Fresher 1 hurling title after seeing off UL's challenge this evening in Stradbally.
In what was a repeat of last year's final, Wexford's Damien Reck starred for the Dublin students as the midfielder landed 0-4 from open play over the hour and set-up fellow Slaynesider Murtha Doyle for the winners' only goal with 10 minutes to go.
James Bergin's free taking and an early brace from Rory O'Connor helped DCU open up a 0-6 to 0-2 lead after 10 minutes before Shane Neville's goal at the other end put UL right back into contention.
Brian McGrath added a couple of frees but the Limerick outfit could never get in front of their capital counterparts as Bergin, James Burke and Brian Ryan all raised white flags to send their side in up by one (0-12 to 1-8) at the interval.
Reck began to take over around the centre early in the second-half, bringing his tally up to four points by the final quarter as DCU moved three ahead.
UL hit back to level through McGrath and Cian Darcy but all their good work would be undone when Doyle pounced at the other end for maximum profit.
The trailers responded in kind with an attack which saw DCU corner-back Shane O'Kennedy converting into his own net but they couldn't prevent the last two points - the final one from Kildare man Burke - going over at the other end and losing out to the same opposition on this stage for the second year running.
DCU - Dara De Poire; Jack McVeigh, Paddy Smith, Shane O'Kennedy; Evan Shefflin, Peter Feeney, Conor Firman; Damien Reck, Liam Pender; James Burke, Brian Ryan, Murtha Doyle; James Bergin, Column Prendibille, Rory O'Connor
UL - Barry Hogan; Cathal O'Connor, Michael Carey, Jimmy Ryan; Podge Campion, Brian Coady, Shane O'Donohue; Tom Hanna, Darragh McGrath, Damien O'Loughlin; Martin Keoghan, Oisin O'Reilly, Brian McGrath; Shane Neville, Martin McManus, Cian Darcy. Subs: Jake Morris for D McGrath (HT), Darragh Carroll for Hannahn (44), Cian McInerney for Campion (54)
Ref: John O'Brien (Laois)
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