16 minute read
Sport
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
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Following a pulsating weekend of knock-out action, the semi- nal line-up for the St Canice’s Credit Union senior championship is now known. More about that later.
O’Loughlin Gaels 2-19 Mullinavat 0-19 e weekend action began with the meeting of O’Loughlin Gaels and Mullinavat in Ballyhale. County defender Paddy Deegan lined out again at full-forward and is appearing to revel in orchestrating proceedings in the No. 14 jersey! When the going got tough in the nal quarter, Deegan retreated to mid eld to nullify the growing Mullinavat threat. Indeed, it was Deegan that raised an early green ag for the Gaels, that sent them into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead after just 5 minutes. Mullinavat almost hit back immediately, only to be denied following a great save from Gael’s keeper, Stephen Murphy. e sides continued to exchange scores before the lively Owen Wall assisted Mark Bergin who took full advantage and doubled his side’s lead. e placed ball would be the source of most scores for both sides, with James Bergin (1-10) and John Walsh (0-10) displaying great accuracy from frees. It would be the two rst half major’s that’s would be the di erence on the long whistle, as Andy Comerford’s side avenged their league defeat to secure the rst of the semi- nal berths. O’Loughlin Gaels and Mullinavat in Ballyhale. nullify the growing Mullinavat threat. Indeed, it was Deegan that raised an early
Tullaroan 1-29 Tullaroan 1-29 Clara 2-19 e bookies had Clara as favourites for this last eight clash at St John’s Park. Having reached the league nal recently, Kevin Ryan’s side had been league nal recently, Kevin Ryan’s side had been expected to progress from their clash with the expected to progress from their clash with the Sash, but former county star, stalwart and legend, Tommy Walsh had di erent ideas! is contest had a really championship feel about it, there was certainly an edge to it, both on and o the pitch. ose in attendance both on and o the pitch. ose in attendance added to the bubbling atmosphere, and the added to the bubbling atmosphere, and the players from both sides fed o this to produce arguably, the best clash of this year’s championship to date.
As both teams ‘sparred’ with each other, the sides were level at the rst water break, 4 points apiece, and they could not be separated on four occasions in the rst 20 minutes of play as the score board controller had a quiet start to their day. e teams reached the interval level, 8 points apiece.
Clara looked to have found the key when substitute Peter Nolan hit the net three minutes into the second half, but the Sash kept the score board ticking over to leave the sides tied once again at the second water break. e fear of knock-out hurling was clearly weighing heavily on players’ minds, as both teams were making uncharacteristic errors. Chris Bolger looked to have given Clara the upper hand when he raised his sides second green ag of the day, but this Tullaroan side never shy away from battle, and thanks to Shane Walsh’s accuracy from frees and an incredible display from his brother Padraig, the match went to extra-time. In the additional 20 minutes, it would be the Walsh household that drove the Sash to the semi’s registering all their sides scores, including a goal from Tommy.
James Stephens 2-16 James Stephens 2-16 Dicksboro 2-15 Rivalling Tullaroan and Clara’s clash as game of the season, these two old derby foes served up a feast of hurling in the Autumn sunshine up a feast of hurling in the Autumn sunshine at UPMC Nowlan Park. Seamus Dwyer’s side at UPMC Nowlan Park. Seamus Dwyer’s side got o to a great start, with a Tadhg O’Dwyer goal giving them the upper hand just before the end of the rst quarter, but the Boro had other ideas. Goals in quick succession from Andy Ga ney and Aidan Nolan stunned the Andy Ga ney and Aidan Nolan stunned the Village, before two further points, including one Village, before two further points, including one from Mark Nolan in his own half left Dicksboro four up, before a brace from Matthew Ruth kept his side within 2 points at the interval. e city sides continued to trade scores and it was the impressive Cian Kenny that kept the village in touch in a game in which they trailed for long parts. e introduction of experienced duo Eoin Larkin and Conor Browne appeared to lift the Village players and they drew level with 10 minutes remaining thanks again to the lively Kenny. Páraic Fanning must have thought his side had done enough to make the last four, thanks to points from Bill Sheehan and Robbie Fitzpatrick, but on an extraordinary day of hurling, corner-back Shane Donohue went on a mesmerizing run which culminated with the defender ring to the net in the 58th minute. Man of the match Cian Kenny then struck again and despite Ga ney’s late point it wasn’t to be for the Boro.
Defending starts with the attack
Testing the jersey
And then there were FOUR!
Sash prevail as Shamrocks start to sizzle
Luke Scanlon driving forward
Ouch! No letting go!
Shane strikes! Mossy says thou shalt not pass!
Ballyhale Shamrocks 0-27
Bennettsbridge 1-15 Title holders Ballyhale signaled their intent to claim a 4th senior title in a row with a masterful second-half performance against newly-crowned league champions, performance against newly-crowned league champions, Bennettsbridge. Bennettsbridge. e Shamrocks raced into an early 4-point lead thanks to scores from Eoin Cody, Colin Fennelly (2), Liam Barron and TJ Reid, with just a solitary Ciaran Brennan point the only score for the Bridge in the opening exchanges as the holders showed their teeth. To their credit, the league champions hung-in and To their credit, the league champions hung-in and scores from Nicky Cleere (2) and William Murphy, left just the minimum between the sides at the rst water break. Ciaran the minimum between the sides at the rst water break. Ciaran Brennan then notched his second point before some slack Brennan then notched his second point before some slack Shamrocks defending allowed Jason Cleere the chance to goal, Shamrocks defending allowed Jason Cleere the chance to goal, which he duly did. Eoin Cody and the again impressive Cuddihy which he duly did. Eoin Cody and the again impressive Cuddihy replied with scores, before a third point from Brennan left the replied with scores, before a third point from Brennan left the Bridge two points ahead after 20 minutes. Bridge two points ahead after 20 minutes. e sides traded scores for the remainder of the half, and at e sides traded scores for the remainder of the half, and at the short whistle, the sides could not be separated. Ballyhale the short whistle, the sides could not be separated. Ballyhale emerged from the interval with more belief and the air of emerged from the interval with more belief and the air of county, provincial and All-Ireland champions. ey reeled of county, provincial and All-Ireland champions. ey reeled of a 3-point salvo in the opening stages of the second period, and a 3-point salvo in the opening stages of the second period, and then continued to pick-o scores with ease, as champions do. then continued to pick-o scores with ease, as champions do.
Shamrocks found themselves 7 points ahead at the second water break. e damage had been done. water break. e damage had been done.
Bennettesbridge would only score once from play in the second half, their four other scores came from placed balls. second half, their four other scores came from placed balls.
Such a scoring return was never going to deliver victory. Such a scoring return was never going to deliver victory.
Ballyhale moved through the gears and had a 27-point total Ballyhale moved through the gears and had a 27-point total to show at the long whistle. While manager James O’Connor to show at the long whistle. While manager James O’Connor would perhaps have liked his side to raise a green ag or two, would perhaps have liked his side to raise a green ag or two, he will have been pleased with the showing, and possibly his he will have been pleased with the showing, and possibly his sides most complete performance of the club season to date. sides most complete performance of the club season to date. Ominously, the Shamrocks march on. Ominously, the Shamrocks march on.
Ballyhale Shamrocks v James Stephens Tullaroan v O’Loughlin Gaels (Ties to be played weekend of October 24)
>> SHERRY SAYS...
Championship hurling. Nothing like it. Fans were treated to four quarter- nals each with their own special ingredients.
Normally forwards steal the headlines, and we did have some great displays across the weekend, Eoin Cody, Joe Cuddihy, Cian Kenny, Shane Walsh, to name but a few.
But on this quarter- nal weekend it would be players that we would normally associate with the art of defending that would steal the show.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Paddy Deegan, Padraig & Tommy Walsh and Shane Donohue!
Mr. Deegan kicked things o on Saturday scoring 1-1, before dropping deeper to stem the rising Mullinavat tide.
Many fancied beaten league nalists Clara to end Tullaroan’s season, but the Sash backed by the Walsh’s ripped up that script. While former county star Tommy took was highlighted for nabbing a goal in extra-time to power his side ahead, it would be the performance of current inter-county No.6, Padraig that was the real driving force behind the perceived underdogs battle to reach the nal four. As Padraig roamed forward, he notched 0-7 on the day. Not to be outdone by his siblings, forward star Shane weighed in with 0-12. Driving on the sash from wing-back was captain Martin. e Walsh men would contribute 23 points of their sides 32 total. Tullawalsh!
In the 58th minute of a championship quarter- nal with your side 2 points down, it’s just your normal corner-back running up the eld and raising a green ag with a nish that any forward would be proud of to send his side through against their derby rivals. Step forward James Stephens Shane Donohue.
Rounding o the weekend’s action was the clash of the current league and championship holders. Having beaten Shamrocks in the league a few weeks back, Bennettsbridge were intent on keeping their season going a little longer, while Ballyhale still have four-in-a-row on their minds.
Notice to all pretenders to their county crown – ey haven’t gone away you know!
While the rst half may have been a little bit of shadow boxing between the sides, Tj & co upped the ante and the tempo in the second half and pulled well clear of the Bridge. e attacking trio of Tj Reid, Eoin Cody and the fast-improving Joe Cuddihy contributed SIXTEEN of their teams total of twenty-seven. At the other end of the pitch, the pleasing aspect of the Shamrocks afternoon’s work, will have been that they restricted their opponents to just one point from play in the second period.
Like a ne wine, Ballyhale are maturing each and every year, and more worryingly, for the three remaining ‘pretenders’ it appears each and every game.
Sport All on the line as relegation looms
St Canice’s Credit Union (Kilkenny) Senior Hurling Relegation, Venue: Pirc Lachtain, (Relegation Semi-final), Erins Own V Graigue Ballycallan 15:00 St Canice’s Credit Union (Kilkenny) Senior Hurling Relegation, Venue: Pairc Sheamuis Stiophan, (Relegation Semi-final), Lisdowney V Rower Inistioge 15:00
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
While the ‘top table’ dine out next weekend to see who will make it to the championship nal, there are a couple of xtures with perhaps greater signi cance taking place tomorrow. For the four teams involved this weekend, each know that what is at stake for their clubs for next season could ultimately decide if some players stick around or decide to travel and or work abroad for a while. All clubs want senior competitive status retained, but not all will see this wish come true.
Erins Own V Graigue Ballycallan
t een a to g ea on for t e a tle o er o tfit. e leag e a a gn y elded only o nt ron ally t at a e aga n t to orro o onent en t ey fin ed a e e at o lan ar . art n ogarty de ll e o ng t at t e re ent defeat to t e a ll r arge on to orro . ey ll loo to ey en ll e o ng t at t e re ent defeat to t e a ll r a ggy ane ee an o n o d and onor ogarty to g ve t e t e r ng oard to get a t t e r a ggy ane ee an o n o d and onor ogarty to g ve t o onent . e a ra y fro t e la ed all o ld on e aga n rove r al and n ggy r n n ll e o ng radar on t e oney at a r a ta n o e on at rday. or ra g e t ll e a a e of o t of t e fry ng an and nto t e fire a t ey try to regro follo ng defeat to older ally ale la t t e o t. to older ally ale la t t e o t. gene loonan no tea ll need to n ll fy t e r o onent o v o atta ng ar ory f t ey are to l ve gene loonan no tea ll need to n ll fy t e r o one to fig t anot er day. ell a ee ng t ng t g t at t e a t e o yall ar de ll need t e yan ean and llly onor r y and o n y to ee t e ore oard t ng over. e free ta ng o onent ean yan ll e een to lot over any o ort n t e g ve fro la ed all en t e an e o e .
VERDICT – Erins Own to book final survival chance
Lisdowney V Rower Inistioge
ever tea e erge v tor o fro t la ll no t at an even arder attle a a t . a t year nter ed ate a on nner do ney ll loo to t at final n along t a de ent leag e a a gn and a red le d lay aga n t oro a rea on to e o t t en t ey ta e on o er a a gn and a red le d lay aga n t oro a rea on to to orro . ndeed t e r o nt defeat to la t year eaten o nty final t o ed t e a et te and de re to orro . ndeed t e r o nt defeat to la t year eaten t n t e a a t ey a e fro a long ay a to lo e y t e narro e t of arg n . t all level of rl ng yo need a rel a le orer fro la ed all and n dan all t ey ave a tr ty and en t o e to free . do ney ll o e t at all rennan ael enny and t e arroll onor and av d arry t e fig t to t e r o onent to orro . onor and av d arry t e fig t to t e r o onent to orro . f t ey lay l e t ey ave o n n t e leag e aga n t llaroan and a e te en ere t ey olle ted a o nt n ea ga e do ney ll e onfident. tand ng n t e ay of do ney are t e n red ta le o er n t oge. t a roved to e an e tre ely d ffi lt ea on for e ea y and o. ey ere t e only de not to reg ter a o nt n t e leag e. ey ave learly tr ggled t n r e and for and en t ey too on o g l n ael n t e a on t ey ere on t e rong end of a o nt defeat. e o er orter ll no t at t e r de ll need to rod e a ea on e t erfor an e to tand any an e to orro . ea y ll need to e gely ro nent t e ll need t e ort of o n r en a al and a ta n ane yan to a e t a o et t ve ga e. f do ney get off to a good tart t o ld e a long afternoon for t e o er t a e all ded to earl er t de f anyt ng n red ta le. ga e really ard to all.
