Back Row: (left to right) Billy Hanlon, Ally Rafter, Joe Cuddihy, Eoin Walsh, Daniel O’Connor, Brian Cody, Ray Lahart, Conor O’Carroll, Michael Cody.

3^rd Row: (left to right) Robert O’Flynn, Shane Walsh, Kieran Freeman, Bill Carrigan, Richie Leahy, Billy Ryan, Paul White, Edmond Delaney, Robbie Donnolly, Niall Walsh, Conor Murphy, Mr Ger Flood (trainer).

2^nd Row: (left to right) Mr Liam Smith (trainer), Josh Haines, Dylan O’Shea, Jason Barcoe, Conor Browne, Tadhg O’Dwyer, Gavin Costigan, Tommy Walsh, Gary Tynan, Mr Ken Maher (trainer)

Front Row: (left to right) Jack Keoghan, Jason Byrne, Kevin Blanchfield, Jason Cleere, James Maher (captain), Darren Mullan, Liam Blanchfield, Sean Morrissey

19th Croke Cup Title for St Kieran’s College

St Kieran’s College captured the Croke Cup for a record 19th time following a 2-16 to 0-13 win over Kilkenny CBS in the 2014 All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Final.

Nowlan Park was the venue on Saturday April 5th for the first ever All-Kilkenny final. St Kieran’s went into this game as outsiders following defeat to the same opposition in the Leinster Final a month earlier, but confidence was high following a thrilling quarter final win over St Brigid’s, Loughrea after extra time and then an outstanding performance and victory over competition favourites Ardscoil Ris, Limerick in the semi final. (Click here for St Kieran’s V Ardscoil Ris Match Report in Kilkenny People and here for photos from that game).

St Kieran’s started slowly in the final and trailed early in the game by 0-5 to 0-0. All was about to change however as Conor O’Carroll set up Brian Cody to score the 1st goal of the game in the 13th minute. St Kieran’s were right back in the game. At half time the score was level 0-7 to 1-4. Two quick points from Kilkenny CBS at the start of the 2nd half were immediately followed by the 2nd goal of the game for St Kieran’s scored by Tadhg O’Dwyer who flicked the ball brilliantly to the net to put St Kieran’s ahead for the first time in the game. From here to the finish St Kieran’s produced the display of the year, outscoring the opposition by 0-12 to 0-4 and powered on to a famous 2-16 to 0-13 victory in the end. James Maher accepted the Croke Cup on behalf of the team, just as his father Noel had done in 1990. James and Noel now join Ted (1957) and David Carroll (1996) as father and son All-Ireland Colleges winning captains.

Well done to everyone involved on this outstanding achievement as another glorious chapter is added to the proud hurling tradition of St Kieran’s College.

For all the match reports in the Kilkenny People on Wednesday April 9th click on the links below.

Click on Kieran’s are Kings of the hurling Castle for John Knox’s report on the game.

Click here for Trevor Spillane’s Reports

Click on the links here for No Losers in the Family Final and here and here for photos in the Kilkenny People.

For reports in the National Newspapers click on the links below.

Irish Independent Match Report

Irish Times Match Report

To see Highlights of the game click on the Youtube link below.

To see the Full Game (TG4 coverage) click on the Youtube link below.

For a full Preview of the Game, including media articles, videos and photos click on the link.

Click on this link for the Match-Programme for the 2014 All-Ireland post Primary Schools A Final.

For photos and report on the Leinster semi final victory over Colaiste Eoin, Dublin click here.

For photos and report on the Leinster quarter final victory over Castlecomer CS click here.

For photos and report on the Leinster League Final victory over Kilkenny CBS click here.

Click on the Youtube link below to enjoy Shane Walsh’s promotional video for the Leinster Final earlier in the year

www.youtube.com/embed/i3bt_L5ND0w