Match Report:

In one of the most thrill packed finals seen at the venue for many years, Saint Kierans beat Tipperary C.B.S. by five points to collect their third All Ireland Senior Colleges’ hurling final at Thurles on Sunday.   Though they led comfortably at the interval and were on the attack for most of the game, St Kieran’s had to fight very hard against the very determined Tipperary hurlers and it was only a storming finish – which has become a feature of their games – that gave them a victory nonetheless richly deserved.

Five thousand spectators in Thurles witnessed the game. At half time Saint Kieran’s were comfortably ahead by five points but, as losing teams nearly always do, the Tipperary boys put in a terrific rally in the third quarter, which put them into a lead, but before the end of the quarter they were leading by four points.  At this stage prospects looked really grim for the Kilkenny boys.  Their defence had undergone heavy pressure and much of their first half play was missing.  The final quarter transformed the Kieran’s side however. The defence, inspired by the brilliant Alley who reached a new status in the game successfully held off attacks from the Tipperary boys so much so that they failed to add to the score. In attack Saint Kieran’s launched repeated rallies and by their midfield pair, launched attack after brilliant attack, coming from behind ion truly amazing manner. It is probably true to say that taking player for player, this Saint Kieran’s college team did not reach the standard of those of a few years ago, but it is doubtful if any of the earlier teams have come back more superbly than this side, when they found themselves four points down in front of a predominantly Tipperary crowd with only fifteen minutes to go.

Apart from this game being labelled “One of the best for many years” – St Kieran’s fully deserved to win in view of their half superiority.  At midfield, Delaney and Martin Lanigan got much the better of matters, which meant Kilkenny, were on the offensive for most of the first half.  It was only for roughly a quarter of the total playing time that Tipperary CBS were dictating matters; this was quite unexpected as Tipperary even though appearing in the first final, were strongly fancied to win in view of their impressive displays in the Munster games.

Centre half back John Alley was undoubtedly the man of the match.  He was early into his stride and did great work in the first half during occasional periods of Tipperary pressure and also initiated attacks to help the forwards.  In attack Eddie Keher covered a tremendous amount of ground and was his usual stylish self, a ball player in the richest Kilkenny tradition.  John Nyhan (with 1-4 ), Martin Walshe, Tom Forrestal and Dick Sommers also had brilliant games in the forwards.

Back Row: G. Moylan (Danesfort), M. Kennedy (Gowran), D. Kennedy (Banim Tce), S. Creagh (Rathdowney), J. Delaney (Rathdowney), L. Kehoe (Coolcullen), O. Ryan (Inistioge).

Middle Row: M. Drennan (Gowran), E. Freyne (Mullinavat), P. Freaney (Inistioge), J. Delaney (Johnstown), T. Carroll (Kilkenny), T. Forristal (Dunnamaggin), P. Foley (Clara), P. McCann (Dublin).

Front Row: R. Somers (Clough), J. Nyhan (College Road), M. Walsh (Thomastown), E. Keher (Captain, Inistioge), M. Lanigan (Thomastown), J. Alley (Durrow), P. Duggan (Hugginstown).

[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA_mhYDfC0Y”]