Junior Hurling Final
Fingallians 0-13
St Jude’s 0-11
LATE scores by Shane Howard and Seán Hickey saw Fingallians crowned Dublin JHC ‘A’ winners in testing conditions in Saturday’s final at Parnell Park.
The sides were level, 0-11 each, entering the concluding five minutes following a converted free by Jude’s marksman Conor Nolan but it was the Swords outfit, who included Dublin footballing legend Paul Flynn at full-forward, who finished the stronger.
Howard’s 55th minute point was a super strike from 50 metres out off his left side near the terrace sideline to edge his side in front.
And, five minutes into added time, Hickey’s 40-metre free following a foul on the hard-working Peter Daly secured victory for Fins.
The eventual winners led 0-7 to 0-6 at the break and, within five minutes of the restart, two points from Seán Hickey had Fingallians 0-9 to 0-6 to the good.
However, Jude’s replied impressively with the next four scores to lead 0-10 to 0-9 after 44 minutes.
Seán Wynne ignited this succession of Jude’s scores when angling over a fine point from the terrace side with Conor Nolan adding to it with one from the opposition flank shortly after.
Nolan brought the sides level, 0-10 each, when converting a free from 25 metres which was brought forward by referee Peter Smyth for some backchat.
Nolan was on target again in the 44th minute when clipping over from 30 metres under significant pressure to give the southsiders the lead.
Fingallians’ second half sub, Paul Graves, who was introduced in the 45th minute had a central role in his side’s drive for glory over the close of this contest.
He equalised with a brilliant sideline conversion and then edged the Swords men ahead when pointing from halfway after being cleverly picked out unmarked by Peter Daly.
Jude’s had a goal opportunity but full-forward Andrew McGovern shot straight at keeper Shane Nolan before a Nolan free brought Jude’s level once again with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
Howard’s point gave Fingallians the lead and deep into injury-time his midfield partner Hickey added the insurance score.
