As dark clouds loomed ominously overhead, it was goals that poured in as the young hurlers from the Presentation College and the Gaelcholaiste advanced to the South Leinster Final at the expense of Scoil Dara Secondary School. The Kilcock outfit made the long journey to Carlow town with hopes of going one-step further than last year’s campaign. However, that never looked a reality as they were out fought and out played all over the pitch from the get go.

The first half was largely played inside Scoil Dara’s half of the field as they were unable to clear their lines due to the incredible work rate of the Presentation’s forwards. On the occasion when the ball did make its way up the field, David Iacob and Sean Buggy tended to rapidly send it back down where it came from. Centre-back Alex O’Dubhslaine also had an excellent afternoon marshalling the defence.

The first of the day’s scores came from the stick of Conal Fitzpatrick and was quickly followed up by an Oisin Pagnier point after one of his trade mark solo runs. Goal chances would soon present themselves and Terry French was on hand strike to the net on two occasions in the first half. A third major before the whistle from Jack Ralph left the score-line 3.5 to 0.1 at the interval.

The mountain only got bigger for Scoil Dara on the restart as Terry French completed his hat-trick and substitute Paul Grey bagged a brace to ensure there would be no fairy-tale come-back. Further scores from the excellent Shane Duffy, Fitzpatrick and Pagnier saw the Pres run out commanding winners on a score-line of 10.7 to 1.1.

Attention now turns to the South-Leinster Final where the Carlow outfit are likely to meet strong opposition as they await the winners of the other semi-final which will be contested next week by the Wexford and Kilkenny champions. They should have nothing to fear however, as they are a team on a roll whose high energy brand of hurling will no doubt be a match for anyone.

Click on this link to see the team

Presentation/Gaelcholaiste Team. (All players are from Presentaion College unless stated).

1. Conor Treacy, 2. Andre Carvalho, 3. David Iacob. 4. Aaron Shanahan. 5. Sean Buggy. 6. Alex Ó Dubhshlaine (GC) 7. Sean Ó Beacháin (GC). 8. Shane Duffy. 9. Oisín Pagnier. 10. Paul Fitzgerald. 11. Conal Fitzpatrick (GC). 12. Ross Ó Hanluain (GC). 13. Terry French. 14. Jack Ralph. 15. John Ó Caidhin (GC) 16. Mickey Maher. 17. Paul Grey. 19. Cian Ó Gormain (GC). 20. Andrew Vint (GC). 21. Cian Ó Riabaigh (GC). 22. Jay Barcoe. 23. Tristan Mac an Tsaoi (GC). 24. Jonah Webb (GC). 25. James Cranny.