All-Ireland Colleges SHC: It's an Ardscoil-Kieran's final
March 21, 2010
Limerick's Ardscoil Ris will meet 16-time champions St. Kieran's, Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Colleges SHC 'A' final on the Easter weekend following their respective semi-final wins over Kilkenny CBS and Presentation College, Athenry.
Ard Scoil Ris qualified for their first ever final following a 3-13 to 2-11 defeat of Kilkenny CBS at Templemore. The Harty Cup champions laid the foundations for their historic win in the opening half when they built up a 1-10 to 1-5 lead with Kevin Downes accounting for their goal.
They led by nine points after 25 minutes, but an Ollie Walsh goal just before the interval offered beaten Leinster finalists Kilkenny CBS hope.
The Cats were ahead within nine minutes of the restart thanks to a Stephen Farrell goal and points from Cathal Kenny, but Ardscoil Ris fought back to level before goals from John Fitzgibbon and Adrian Breen settled it.
In the other semi-final at Moate, St. Kieran's College needed extra-time to get the better of Presentation College, Athenry by 0-16 to 0-13. The sides couldn't be separated until two late points from Padraig Walsh (a brother of Kilkenny senior star Tommy) and another from Paul Buggy sealed the Kilkenny side's place in the Croke Cup decider.
Athenry led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval before a wind-assisted St. Kieran's battled back to level at 0-9 apiece nine minutes into the second half. Wing back Aidan O'Dowd gave St. Kieran's the lead for the first time with six minutes remaining, only for James Divilly to force extra-time with a 57th minute equaliser.
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