In the final round of the Leinster Under-20 HC, Offaly triumphed over Dublin, with a score of 1-18 to 1-15. It was Adam Screeney, the star sportsman from Offaly, who once again demonstrated remarkable skills, guiding the Faithful to consecutive U-20 hurling titles in Leinster. Screeney, hailing from Kilcormac-Killoughey, contributed nine points to his team’s victory, securing their seventh title at this level.
Team member Shane Rigney, who had previously scored 2-3 against Kilkenny, broke the net once more. The captain, Dan Bourke, didn’t shy away from the limelight either, scoring 0-4. As expected, the crowd, predominantly Offaly fans, were ecstatic, invading the pitch twice during the end stages of the game.
Despite the thrill being interrupted by a late goal from Conn Rock of the Dubliners in extra time, it was just a matter of comforting themselves. The terminus difference of three points leaned in favour of Dublin, who initially showcased an impressive performance but eventually dimmed.
The win not only asserted Offaly’s control over the Leinster championship but also paved their way to the All-Ireland final. They are set to face off against Munster champions, either Cork or Tipperary, on June 1. Last year, they had unfortunately suffered a defeat against Cork in the finals.
Brendan Kenny from Dublin started as a sweeper in an ambitious bid to subdue Screeney. The tactic appeared to be working at first, with Kenny claiming two early long-distance points, contributing to a total of 0-3. Dublin strode forth quickly, establishing an initial lead of 0-7 to 0-3.
Offaly, however, didn’t make their first point until 11 minutes into the game. This initial success, credited to Bourke, was met with resounding applause. Perhaps the anticipation and fervent support put pressure on the Offaly players, causing their scoring to stall, absent from play until the 21st minute.
From the spectators’ standpoint, the wait for Rigney’s impressive goal that drastically reduced Offaly’s lag from four points to just one, scoring 1-3 to 0-7, was well worth it. As this happened, a collective cheer arose from the Offaly fans that resonated all the way back to Tullamore.
The game took an exciting turn as Offaly outplayed Dublin by six points within a brief spell of 11 minutes and closed the interval in the lead with the score at 1-7 to 0-8.
Diarmaid O Dulaing made valuable contributions for Dublin with four points added in the second half. He even had an opportunity to lessen the distance to a single point in the 40th minute. However, his penalty shot was blocked and Offaly seized the opportunity. They retaliated with a string of superb points from Screeney, Conor Doyle, Eoin Burke, and the defender Donal Shirley.
Offaly’s team comprised of L Hoare, R Kelly, B Miller, J Mahon, T Guinan, B Kavanagh, D Shirley, who scored 0-1, S Spain, with a score of 0-1, C King, S Rigney who made the score to 1-1, D Bourke, C Doyle, A Kavanagh, B Egan, and A Screeney, topping with a score of 0-9. Substitutions included, L Kavanagh replacing Egan at the 36th minute and E Burke, contributing 0-1, coming in for A Kavanagh at minute 43.
Dublin’s team lined up with K Hogan, C Groarke, D Lucey, C Kennedy, B Kenny, E Keys, C Dolan, J Behan, C O Riain, F Murphy, J Conroy, D O Dulaing, O Gaffney, N Hogan, and D Purcell. Their substitutes saw C Newton replacing Murphy at 30+2, C Rock swapping for Hogan at 47, and D Bannan substituting Keys at minute 50. The referee of the match was C.Flynn from Westmeath.