Accurate Molloy leads way as Kilnadeema/Leitrim U-20s triumph

Moycullen 1-19

DARREN KELLY AT DUGGAN PARK

KILNADEEMA/Leitrim completed a perfect campaign last Wednesday as three goals either side of half-time secured them the county under 20 A1 hurling title at Duggan Park.

A Colm Molloy penalty along with Eanna Kenny’s strike helped the victors to a 2-9 to 0-11 interval lead before Daniel Comar’s 35th minute goal ensured a fifth win in as many games.

Moycullen will rue 13 wides as they overcame an early blip to level three times in the first 15 minutes. And even though they played catch-up afterwards, they were never more than one shot away from guaranteeing a grandstand finish.

This game followed an exciting County B Final, again showcasing the underage talent in Galway. Adam Coyne opened the scoring for Kilnadeema/Leitrim inside 40 seconds but Kenny restored parity by the end of the first minute.

While Kilnadeema/Leitrim gradually built a match winning cushion during the middle third, they showed their shooting credentials in the early stages racing into a four-point lead.

Colm Molloy was man of the match and pointed on two minutes before adding a free 60 seconds later. Coyne doubled his account thanks to a Shane Kelly pass. And when Kenny pointed in the fifth minute, they were 0-5 to 0-1 clear.

Moycullen also brought their scoring sticks even if chances went wayward later. Diarmuid Davoren and James Bradley (2) left the minimum between them before Jack O’Malley set up Ethan McCauley for Kilnadeema/Leitrim on 10 minutes.

Davoren was winning the midfield exchanges and added another for Moycullen before Bradley’s free levelled affairs. Coyne helped Sam Callanan put Kilnadeema/Leitrim back ahead but Sean Walsh’s assist for Bradley left it 0-7 apiece at half-time.

Pictured: Diarmuid Davoren of Moycullen comes under pressure from Padraic Gavin of Kilnadeema/Leitrim during the County U-20 A1 Hurling Final at Duggan Park last Wednesday. Photo: Joe O'Shaughnessy.