By Michael O’Leary
A superb contest between two of the leading contenders for minor roinn A championship honours saw the defending champions Dicksboro overcome a gallant Young Irelands 5-13 to 2-17 in Gowran last night (Monday).
Young Irelands made a dominant start & they built up a 0-9 to 0-4 lead after 16 minutes, but Dicksboro started to motor after the water break, and three quickfire goals turned the game quickly on its head & they led 3-5 to 0-11 at the interval.
The Boro men stretched the advantage with three further points early in the second half (3-8 to 0-11), and when a Harry Shine goal after a brilliantly timed run in the 38th minute extended the lead further (4-8 to 0-12), it appeared that they may have been cruising to victory.
Gowran fight back
However, the Gowran lads showed great fighting spirit and got 2-3 without reply between the 39th & 47th minutes – Goals coming from Ray Lawson & Diarmuid Langton suddenly gave them a one-point lead. 2-15 to 4-8.
In this pulsating contest, Dicksboro fought back & another well-taken goal from Harry Shine in the 48th minute regained the lead that they never relinquished, 5-8 to 2-15.
Dicksboro outscored Young Irelands 0-5 to 0-2 for the remainder of the game as they got the final three points to confirm victory following a thrilling battle.