The Kilkenny Observer Friday 27 May 2022
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Hurling matters Kilkenny: Aidan Tallis (01, 0-1f); Niall Rowe, Sean Purcell, Padraig Lennon; Joe Fitzpatrick, Padraic Moylan, Paddy Langton (0-1); Killian Doyle, Andy Hickey (0-1); Denis Walsh (0-2), Timmy Clifford (0-3), Peter McDonald; Billy Drennan (0-8, 0-2f, 0-1 ‘65), Gearoid Dunne (0-1), Ian Byrne (0-2). Subs: James Walsh for Andy Hickey (43), Eoghan O’Brien for Joe Fitzpatrick (50), Jack Doyle for Gearoid Dunne (58). Limerick: Conor Hanley Clarke; Chris Thomas, Fergal O’Connor, Evan O’Leary; Cian Scully, Ethan Hurley, Colin Coughlan (0-1); Jimmy Quilty, John Kirby; Adam English (0-2), Aidan O’Connor (0-10, 0-7f), Eddie Stokes (0-1); Shane O’Brien (0-1), Patrick Kirby (0-1), Patrick O’Donovan (0-2). Subs: Donnacha Ó Dálaigh for Patrick O’Donovan (50), Patrick Reale for Evan O’Leary (55), Joe Sweeney for Cian Scully (58). Referee: T Walsh (Waterford).
Captain Padraic Moylan & Co celebrate their All-Ireland win
Ian Byrne was in great form
SHERRY SAYS...
ke INT! Hanley-Clarke then came to his side’s rescue twice in quick succession, with 2 fine reflex saves, the second of which from Ian Byrne’s improvised finish was sensational. The Cats just couldn’t raise the green flag that their attacking performance deserved. Billy Drennan then struck over the ‘65 that followed the second goal effort. Ballybrown’s Aidan O’Connor then notched his first score from play, from out on the left to once again level matters at Semple Stadium. Derek Lyng then made a change, with James Walsh replacing Andy Hickey. The next point would be a Kilkenny one. Ian Byrne took possession, spun away from
the swarm of players and sent over a fine point. In keeping with the previous 44 minutes, the sides were level thanks to a point popped over the bar by Doon’s Eddie Stokes. With neither side appearing capable of seizing the initiative, Cats skipper Padraic Moylan surged forward before off-loading to Tullaroan’s Gearoid Dunne, who fired over a good score. Kilkenny then gave up an easy score, when Lisdowney’s Aidan Tallis was blown-up for overcarrying, having emerged from the Kilkenny goal with the sliotar. Aidan O’Connor was never going to miss. Guess what – the sides were level, again! Eoghan O’Brien was then introduced for the
Timmy Clifford was a constant threat
recently booked Joe Fitzpatrick, who had stood firm and brought the physical battle to the Treaty forwards during his 47 minutes of involvement. Billy Drennan was proving a real thorn in the side of the Limerick defence, and he further demonstrated his powers when striking over a lovely point from the right side of the ground. The Galmoy man then took a catch from Denis Walsh’s sideline cut before swinging over an exquisite score. The Cats now led by two with 51 minutes on the clock. Aidan O’Connor then missed one before making amends moments later from about ‘65 out. Kilkenny were
winning the possession battle, but couldn’t pull away from this physically imposing Limerick team. In a bid to seek out elusive advantage, semi-final goal hero Jack Doyle was sprung from the bench in place of Gearoid Dunne. Limerick then halted Denis Walsh’s attempt to break forward, and Drennan made no mistake from the free awarded. Denis was then harshly adjudged to have fouled and Aidan O’Connor split the posts to reduce the Cats advantage to one. Kilkenny then attacked down the right-hand side. Some neat play from Denis Walsh saw the ball moved
to Timmy Clifford who fired over his third of the day with the game one minute into the 3 allocated minutes of additional time. Limerick’s placed-ball specialist, Aidan O’Connor then sent over another free to leave just the minimum between the sides, with just 1 minute remaining. The Treaty knew that they needed just one more score to force extratime. They worked the sliotar to Colin Coughlan, who was in space out on the right. The Ballybrown man’s effort sailed agonisingly wide. Their race was run. Kilkenny’s was won. Final score, Kilkenny 0-19, Limerick 0-18.
Kilkenny’s first AllIreland at U20 level! The Cats previous 11 title wins came at the old U21 grade, the last being in 2008. There may well only have been one point between the sides at the final whistle, but the Cats greater attacking threat and opportunities created, I believe saw them crowned worthy winners. OK, Paddy Langton’s first half point was debatable and contentious, but Ethal Hurley’s foul on Timmy Clifford could and possibly should have seen the Limerick centre-back see a dark coloured card! Also – I don’t remember Kilkenny keeper Aidan Tallis making any last ditch saves, the way his Treaty counterpart Hanley-Clarke had to. Billy Drennan was rightly awarded the MOTM award, his 5 points from play proving crucial, alongside his 3 placed ball scores. Drennan was ably supported by Denis Walsh, Ian Byrne and the talented Timmy Clifford. The defence stood firm against a much talked about Limerick attacking threat. Niall Rowe was one of the leading lights at the back, again the Dicksboro conveyor belt keeps on delivering.A As manager Derek Lyng said afterwards, there are lots of good hurlers coming through in the county. Perhaps Mr. B Cody should take note.
