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Inter hurlers into Championship Final

IHC St Sylvesters 1-13 Setanta 2-07 Great win in a great game sees us reach our first Iner Final and Qualify for the Senior Hurling Championship for the first time ever next year. There was a strong wind in our faces in the first half and Setanta opened up a four to one lead in the first quarter but from there on we were probably the stronger team.

Martin Ormonde was impeccable from frees and supported by a very busy Gareth McGrath and Stephen Keogh we pulled back to 7 to 6 before Setanta hit a nice goal just on the break. We felt quietly confident coming out with the wind in our back, Dara Flats was commanding at centre back, Kevin Clarke and Ronan swapped positions and continued to dominate their markers, the two Morrises on the other side doing likewise. Andrew Richardson supported a tough half forward line of Conor McCafferty, David Casey and some peoples man of the match Barry Kiely, what a great paw he has. Ciara n Falvey, with a bit of an LA accent, replaced Gareth and won some hard ball, and Killian O'Flynn replaced Casey to give us fresh legs.

For me two players deserve special mention, the immaculate Ian McCafferty, just back from a totally ridiculous suspension (and don't mention Pats O'Leary, we're still fuming over that one, There's only one Pats O'Leary), and the Absolutely Fabulous Russy Cleere, he was everywhere, fielding high ball, winning lot's of frees and clearing off his own line in the last minute. Did I say he should be in the Dublin hurling panel, absolutely. (He wouldn't be out of place in the football panel either).

Special mention also for Hillary Murray Hession, played his first adult hurling championship exactly twenty years ago in the Junior B against Thomas Davis and it has been a long road to senior and he has faced down an awful lot of forwards over that time, congratulations. Ian McCaffety also came on as a sub that day, must have been about 12, now that's real junior hurling. I wonder could we get him coaching. Hillary and Ronan coach under age, fair play to them.

Leonard O'Carroll, Pat Keogh and indomitable Tommy Naughton have brought a new passion to Syls Hurling while Fergus, Eddie, Colm , Jim and Danny are also driving hurling forward.

There was a good Syls crown and a great roar which had to encourage the lads. Well done to all now let's get twice as many to the Final against Round Towers Clondalkin.

Thanks to Killian Kirrane and John Keogh for pictures

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