Kieran’s hold onto crown

St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny 1-18
St. Brendan’s, Birr 1-12

Holders St. Kieran’s, Kilkenny had to pull out all the stops to see off a gallant St. Brendan’s, Birr in an exciting Leinster Colleges SH ’A’ Colleges final at Portlaoise.

Paul Cleary gave underdogs Birr an early lead before St. Kieran’s responded with four unanswered points. With captain Maurice Nolan in top form, the Kilkenny side stretched their lead to 0-8 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter. But a goal from corner forward Colm Coughlan brought St. Brendan’s level after 18 minutes.

St. Kieran’s regained the initiative with a goal from Richie Hogan before two points from Paul Cleary left Birr two adrift, 1-7 to 1-9, at the interval.

The second half produced some excellent hurling but the experience of the Hogan brothers had helped St. Kieran’s to a four-point lead entering the final quarter.

And despite Birr’s best efforts, further scores from Shane Brennan and Richie Hogan put the result beyond doubt.

St Kieran’s - N Cleere, E O’Shea, S Campion, J Dowling, M Culleton, N Prendergast, J Dermott, N Tennyson, T Reid 0-1, Mark Walsh 0-2, M Nolan 0-4, J Farrell 0-1, R Hogan 1-6, P Hogan 0-2, S Brennan 0-2. Subs - P Barcoe for Nolan, Martin Walsh for Mark Walsh, J Lawler for Tennyson

St Brendan’s - D Beale, K Larkin, M Verney, D Coughlan, B Watkins, M Quinlan, R Carroll, D Malloy, S Ryan, P Cleary 0-7, J Burgin 0-1, D Horan 0-1, C Cochran 1-0, M Mulroney 0-1, B Nolan 0-1. Subs - O Kealey for Horan, D Masterson 0-1 for Malloy

Referee - A Stapleton (Laois)