Hurling matters - Review

Evan Niland hit two free’s either side of a stunning point from captain Cody. Mikey Butler then played nice pass to John Donnelly and the omastown man ri ed over from distance to leave the Cats 3 points to the good. Cian Kenny then replaced e Sash’s Padraig Walsh as manager Lyng sought to freshen things up a little. Half-time sub Martin Keoghan was having a good impact on Kilkenny’s game, and the Tullaroan attacker red over a brace of points to cement the home sides control of proceedings in UPMC Nowlan Park. Cian Kenny then did well to set up Billy Ryan who red over his second of the game.

Henry She in urged his team to respond, and the Tribesmen hit the next 3 points, including two long range stunners from Daithi Burke and Joesph Cooney. eir main threat, Brian Concannon hit the other one, although his in uence on proceedings were restricted after Mikey Butler was switched to mark the full-forward. Eoin Cody then red over a ne point after good work by Darragh Corcoran to take his tally to 0-6. O’Loughlin’s Butler who was having a great game then found Adrian Mullen who hit a trademark point from out on the left to extend the Cats lead to ve points with 56 minutes played.

Again, one of Kilkenny’s favourite sons was animated on the sideline, demanding more from his charges. His men didn’t let Henry down. Four scores on the bounce from Galway, including a pair of frees from Niland, a stunner from distance by Padraic Mannion brought the men in maroon within two points of the black and amber. Eoin Murphy then denied the Tribesmen again, Jason Flynn taking a point before John Donnelly gave a nice pass to Darragh Corcoran who ri ed over a cracking point.

Gort’s Jack Grealish then saw yellow for a nasty challenge on Mikey Butler, when a red card could well have been shown. TJ Reid split the posts with the placed ball to push the home side’s lead to three points.

As the game entered ve minutes of additional time, Evan Niland struck over his 7th point of the game to give his side and their supporters hope. Cappataggle’s Liam Collins then points in the 74th minute, to leave just one point between the sides. ere was lots on the line, and both Mikey Butler and Brian Concannon received yellow cards from referee Murphy. Replays showed that the Galway man was lucky not to see a di erent colour.

Following a Kilkenny wide, Galway keeper Eanna Murphy took the puck-out and sent it long towards the Cats ‘65. Declan McLaughlin and Richie Reid tangled and fought to take possession. e nippy forward wriggled away from the Shamrocks man before striking a shot from over his left shoulder. e crowd waited, the sliotar split the posts. e next sound heard was the long whistle of referee Johnny Murphy. A frantic encounter between two good sides had nished all square, Final score, Kilkenny 0-28, Galway 1-25.

Kilkenny Scorers: TJ Reid 0-9 (8fs), Eoin Cody 0-6, Darragh Corcoran, Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan, and Martin Keoghan 0-2 each, Mikey Butler, Timmy Cli ord, and David Blanch eld 0-1 each.

Galway Scorers: Brian Concannon 1-5, Evan Niland 0-7 (6fs), Conor Whelan 0-2, Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Joseph Cooney, Cianan Fahy, Ronan Glennon, Cathal Mannion, Kevin Cooney, Conor Cooney, Jason Flynn, Liam Collins, and Declan McLoughlin 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanch eld, Richie Reid, Padraig Walsh; Darragh Corcoran, Conor Fogarty; Timmy Cli ord, Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly; Billy Ryan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Martin Keoghan for Cli ord (HT), Cian Kenny for P Walsh (46), Alan Murphy for Donnelly (65), Cillian Buckley for Fogarty (70+3). Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Gearoid McInerney, TJ Brennan; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Joseph Cooney; Cianan Fahy, Ronan Glennon; Cathal Mannion, Conor Cooney, Kevin Cooney; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Evan Niland.

Subs: Jason Flynn for C Cooney (58), Fintan Burke for Glennon (60), Liam Collins for Fahy (65), Declan McLoughlin for Whelan (68).

Referee: J Murphy (Limerick).

>> SHERRY SAYS..

Well, that was a bit of a rollercoaster! While it may not have hit the heights of the Limerick vs Clare game the evening before, Kilkenny vs Galway had its own plots and sub-plots. Henry arrived back in Kilkenny with a team geared up to repeat its Salthill victory of 12 months ago, but it was his nephew Eoin Cody that stole the show with a real scintillating captain’s performance.

The Shamrocks Ballyhale man was the standout player, and rightly took the MOTM award at the end having notched 6 wonderful points from play. His fellow clubmen, TJ Reid, Adrian Mullen and Darragh Corcoran contributed 0-13 to their county’s total of 0-28. The game certainly flowed – referee Johnny Muphy did his best to let both teams go at it. The Galway supporters and their manager were not altogether happy with some of the Limerick whistler’s decisions, but overall, I think his performance allowed the spectacle to develop. If anything, there could have been a couple of red cards dished out to men in maroon and their goal scorer Brian Concannon, took as many steps as an Olympic long jumper before shooting beyond Eoin Murphy, who by the way had an outstanding game between the sticks.

Derek Lyng will have been disappointed not to take maximum points from this group game, but I’d say both these teams may well face-off in a Leinster Final in due course.

then called into action

Kilkenny emerged from the Nowlan Park dressing rooms with a spring in their step and showing one change to their line-up, with Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan replacing Timmy Cli ord. Lyng’s charges came out of the blocks quickly. e rst point after the interval was a lovely combination of skill and pace from Billy Ryan who joined his fellow starting attackers in scoring. e same player was then fouled, and TJ popped over the free. e Shamrocks man repeated this feat a minute later after John Donnelly was again fouled. at left the Cats 3 clear with 39 minutes played. Kilkenny goalkeeper Murphy was then called into action again, this time putting his body on the line to prevent Kevin Cooney from goaling. e Glenmore man needed a little treatment but thankfully was t to continue.

Next up for the Cats is a trip north to take on the Saffrons of Antrim in Corrigan Park. The early season meeting in February proved a little trickier than it should have. The black and amber will need to be focused and professional and make sure they come back over the border with maximum points.

It’s building nicely.

Saint Titus Brandsma

Carmelite and Martyr

God of peace and justice, you open our hearts to love and the joy of the Gospel, even in the midst of every hatred and degradation of our brothers and sisters. Make of us your witnesses in today’s world, so that, like Saint Titus Brandsma we may see the tenderness beyond the horrors of inhumanity to your glory that shines through the martyrs in every age. Amen. M.B.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours. This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.M.M.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.A.ON.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer.A.R.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.B.D.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.

Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.C.L.

The Miracle Prayer

Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.

This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).

Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.

Must promise publication of prayer.O.C.