Saint Declans’ hopes of winning the All Britain Junior Shield Final ended in disappointment on Saturday when they were beaten by Wolfe Tones of Liverpool.

The Oxhey Park-based club were founded less than a year ago and have made huge strides in their first campaign, winning the Mick Houlihan Cup in September. But Wolf Tones proved too strong at the weekend as they won by 0 (goals).17 (points) to 0.8.

Declans started brightly and after ten minutes had opened up a 0.4-0.2 lead thanks to a brace of points from Liam Reale and singles by Brendan O’Leary and Peter Behan.

It could have been even better for the Hertfordshire club when Gary Kennedy made a goal chance for himself, but the Tones keeper made a superb save.

However, Declans went into the game off the back of a four-week break from competitive hurling and it showed as Tones scored nine unanswered points leading up to and after half time.

Declans still keep battling though, even when reduced to 14 men following a red card against Frankie O’Leary.

And they at least had the consolation of the score of the day when John O’Brien burst through two men and slotted the sliotar over the bar from around 70 yards out towards the end.