The Kilkenny Observer Friday 22 April 2022
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kilkennyobserver.ie
Hurling matters
Five majors in Mullingar win Brian Cody will have reviewed the notes from last week
TJ Reid was sprung from the bench to push the Cats on
legendary Cats manager clearly wasn’t best pleased with what he had witnesses in the opening period and no doubt a few harsh words were spoken in the changing room. Both Cian Kenny and Mossy Keoghan didn’t appear for the second half, replaced by John Donnelly and TJ Reid respectively. Just like the opening period, it would be Killian Doyle that registered the first score of the half. Substitute TJ Reid then hit his first score of the day, before Alan Murphy added on a couple of frees to push Kilkenny’s lead to 5 points. The Lake County’s main man Doyle then fired over another free, but Adrian Mullen replied with a score from play to keep the Cats in pole position. Former Galway All-
Ireland winner Davy Glennon then pointed for his adopted county, before corner-back Darragh Egerton hit one of the best scores of the day, to reduce the deficit to 3 points. A ‘65 from TJ followed by Padraig Walsh’s 4th point of the day put the black and amber men five ahead, as Westmeath’s legs started to wane a little. Walter Walsh then fired over a fine point, before the defining score of the day. Westmeath’s keeper Conor Bracken then somehow managed to initially prevent Walter from goaling, but the alert Billy Ryan was on hand to fire an unstoppable rebound bast the unlucky net minder. The Cats lead was now an unassailable 9 points. The maroon’s manager, Joe Fortune, must have been fearing a right mauling at this point of the game, and his fears weren’t helped when midfielder Cormac Boyle was shown a second yellow, following a wild swipe across the legs of Padraig Walsh just before the hour mark. Down to 14 men, it was somewhat inevitable that Kilkenny would pull further ahead in the last quarter of the game. Killian Doyle then hit his 13th point of the day via the placed ball, before Walter set-up substitute James Maher who drilled a fine low shot past the unfortunate Bracken. Eoin Cody, who was having a very quiet game by his standards, then hit his first point of the day, before he turned provider and set up the impressive Walter Walsh to hit Kilkenny’s 4th major of the day. TJ then popped over a free,
his side’s 23rd point of the game to leave Kilkenny sixteen ahead in injury time. Three minutes into added time, two Shamrocks men combined to raise a 5th green flag for the Noresiders. Eoin Cody’s shot was blocked, but TJ was on hand to bundle the bar over the line. Before referee McGann blew for full-time, Westmeath got a goal of their own, and one their performance for the opening 55 minutes deserved. Sub Owen McCabe blasted past Eoin Murphy to leave the gap at the long whistle, 16 points. Full time score, Westmeath 1-19, Kilkenny 5-23. Westmeath: C Bracken; D Egerton (0-01), C Shaw, J Galvin; A Craig, T Doyle, K Regan; C Boyle, R Greville; J Boyle (0-02), D McNicholas, D Glennon (0-01); N O’Brien (0-01), N Mitchell, K Doyle (0-14, 0-11fs). Subs: E Keyes for O’Brien (50), C Doyle for McNicholas (55), T Gallagher for Craig (62), O McCabe (1-00) for J Boyle (68), A Cox for Regan (70). Kilkenny: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, T Walsh; M Carey (1-00), P Deegan, D Blanchfield; C Kenny (0-01), A Mullen (0-02); W Walsh (102), P Walsh (0-04), E Cody (0-01); B Ryan (1-01), M Keoghan, A Murphy (0-07, 0-06 frees). Subs: J Donnelly for Keoghan (34), TJ Reid (1-04, 0-02 frees, 0-01 ‘65) for Kenny (h-t), J Maher (101) for Murphy (46), C Browne for Blanchfield (59), S Walsh for Ryan (66). Referee: R McGann (Clare).
>> SHERRY SAYS...
Alan Murphy hit 7 points in the win over the Lake County
We’re up and running. Sixteen points the winning margin in Mullingar. A below par opening half of hurling, was followed by a more Kilkenny-like display after the interval. There was me, penciling in TJ’s return for the Galway game next month. Oh no... Brian Cody had other ideas. TJ was sprung from the bench at half time and definitely made a difference, he also finished with 1-4 to his name. James Maher hit 1-1 from th the bench also. As you get deeper into championship action, return from the bench becomes more crucial. Mikey Carey took his goal with all the accuracy of his father. Walter Walsh notched 1-2 and like most in black and amber, was much better after the interval. Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan continued his fine league form and raised another green flag. Alan Murphy’s free taking saw him finish with 0-7, all but one from the placed ball. So, first group game done and dusted. Laois up next. Cheddar’s men fairly put it up to the Dub’s last weekend and lost narrowly, by just two points. Cody will know what to expect from the O’Moore County, he will drum it into his squad this week – let’s start fast, get the job done and move on. Wexford produced a stunning comeback to claim a share of the spoils in an exciting tussle with Henry’s Galway boys. Plenty of decent games to look forward to, but let’s sort Laois first.
