Galway won the All-Ireland Vocational School’s hurling title for the seventeenth time and first since 2003 when they defeated Kilkenny last February. In their previous games Galway defeated Cork and Tipperary. Galway began their campaign with a quarter final victory over Cork in a game played at Athenry. Galway emerged victorious by 0-13 to 0-11. Galway’s scorers were Barry Keane (05), Darragh Dolan (0-3), Darragh Burke (0-2), Gerald Kelly (0-2) and Shane Burke. Galway’s semi-final opponents were Tipperary with this game also taking place at Athenry. Tipperary dominated this game early on and by half time they lead by 0-9 to 0-5. Galway, though, were much sharper in the second period and with Ciaran Morrissey, Darragh Burke, Barry Keane, Darragh Dolan and Jamie Ryan impressing the Tribesmen eventually won out by 0-17 to 1-11 with Galway hitting ten unanswered points during this half. Barry Keane finished as top scorer for Galway with 09 to his credit; Jamie Ryan scored three second half points with other point scoring contributions coming from Darragh Burke, Darragh Dolan, Gerald Kelly and Brian Dolan. For the final Galway travelled to Thomastown to take on Kilkenny. Kilkenny played with wind advantage in the opening half and they lead by 0-6 to 0-5 at half time. Galway’s first half scorers were Barry Keane, Darragh Burke, Darragh Dolan and Brian Dolan. Galway were by far the better team in the second half and curtailed Kilkenny to just two points from frees. Darragh Dolan excelled at centre forward while Ciaran Morrissey, Thomas Jakeman, Darragh Burke, Padraig Flanagan and Barry Keane all impressed with Galway claiming the title on a 0-12 to 0-8 scoreline. Galway’s scorers were Barry Keane (0-6, 0-4 frees)), Darragh Dolan (0-3), Brian Dolan (0-2) and Darragh Burke (0-1 free) After the game the cup was presented to a delighted Galway captain Darragh Burke whose father John captained Galway to the very same title thirty years previously. Galway: Peter Whelan (Loughrea), Patrick Prendergast (Athenry), Ciaran Morrissey (Athenry), Thomas Broderick (New Inn), Thomas Jakeman (Athenry), Darragh Burke (Loughrea), Padraig Kennedy (Loughrea), Padraig Flanagan (Loughrea),Eoin Kirwan (New Inn), Shane Burke (Athenry), Darragh Dolan (Loughrea), Barry Keane (Athenry), Jamie Ryan (Loughrea), Jack Raftery (Athenry), Gerald Kelly (Loughrea). Subs Used: Brian Dolan (Loughrea), Ruadhan O’Bearra (Indreabhan), Darragh O’Donoghue (Loughrea), Shane Flynn (Loughrea). Other Panel Members: Dean Keary (Athenry), Niall Coen (Loughrea), Paul Cooley (Athenry), Darren Coy (Loughrea), Sean Hardiman (Loughrea). Management: Bosco Hurney-Manager (Athenry), Martin Raftery (Loughrea), Michael Kenny (New Inn), Brian Burke (Athenry). BY NIALL CANAVAN GALWAY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL’S HURLING CHAMPIONS GALWAY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL'S HURLING PANEL THAT DEFEATED KILKENNY IN THE 2012 ALL-IRELAND FINAL: Back Row left to right: Darren Coy, Shane Flynn, Thomas Jakeman, Padraig Flanagan, Gerald Kelly, Brian Dolan, Dean Keary, Jack Raftery, Padraig Kennedy, Darragh Dolan, Niall Coen, Darragh O'Donoghue. Front Row left to right: Jamie Ryan, Ruadhan O'Bearra, Eoin Kirwan, Shane Burke, Ciaran Morrissey, Peter Whelan, Darragh Burke (captain), Thomas Broderick, Patrick Prendergast, Paul Cooley, Sean Hardiman, Barry Keane. 37
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