Dublin's minor hurlers captured their second Leinster title in three years with a 2-14 to 1-10 victory over a highly fancied Kilkenny at Croke Park today.
The Dubs led by 0-07 to 0-04 at the break, but a strong start to the second period saw full-forward Paul Garbutt find the net after capitalising on a parry by 'keeper Colin McGrath from Darren Whelan's free.
Michael Fagan was shown a red card in the 36th minute for an off-the-ball incident with Whelan, before Barry O'Rourke drove low to the net for Dublin's second goal. Paul Murphy struck a consolation goal for the Cats in injury-time.
Kilkenny were left to rue 13 wides against Dublin's six, but overall the Metropolitans were well worth the victory.
DUBLIN: F McGarry; O Gough, E Walsh, P Schutte; P Buckeridge, R O'Carroll, P Kelly (0-01); D Mooney, D Whelan (0-03, 2 '65s); J Cooper, D Treacy (0-03, 2f), B O'Rourke (1-02); N McMurrow, P Garbutt (1-00), W Brogan (0-03).
Subs: A McMullan (0-01) for Mooney, K O'Loughlin for Garbutt, E McCabe (0-01) for McMurrow, R O'Loughlin for Brogan, M Jordan for Schutte.
KILKENNY: C McGrath; C Fogarty, K Mooney, E Malone; J Fitzpatrick, P Murphy (1-00), D Langton; PJ Rowe, M Fagan; M Bergin (0-05, 3f, 1 '65), M Murphy (0-02), A Stapleton (0-01); S Brennan (0-02), D Walton, J Brennan.
Subs: J Nolan for Brennan, T Breen for Walton, S Waugh for Stapleton, O Walsh for McQuillan.
Referee: A Stapleton (Laois).
