By John Knox
Glenmore 2-10 (16pts) John Lockes 1-12 (15 pts)
PROUD Glenmore, the All-Ireland club senior hurling champions of 1991 and Kilkenny champions last in 1999, escaped the dreaded drop down to the junior ranks by the skin of their teeth when they won this tense, gripping and sometimes tough game at wet Thomastown. The relegation finals in Kilkenny in recent years have become fiercely competitive as teams battle against the drop. This intermediate hurling relegation decider on Saturday was a 'pull no punches' affair, and the issue wasn't decided until seconds from the end.
The point that divided the teams was the last one scored. It was registered by the experienced Paddy Mullally with 59 minutes and 45 seconds showing on the stopwatch. Mullally showed nerves of steel when he shot the ball between the posts at the town end. He hit the target from the right wing and 60-metres distance for a score worthy of deciding any game.
During the frantic closing seconds of play that followed, John Lockes sub Nigel Donovan got in behind the Glenmore full-back at the other end. However, he couldn't find space to get in a shot when in a threatening position and the danger was eventually cleared.
Down to junior grade
The defeat threw battling John Lockes (Callan) back into the junior division from whence they came in 1999.
From the off this was a saucy contest as both sides threw everything into the survival effort. The hurling wasn't always pretty. The tackling was never soft. The referee may have been too lenient at times, but the players simply got on with the job and thundered into each other.
There was never much between the teams during the opening half. During the opening 90 seconds the very impressive Ger Aylward (G) and the equally impressive John Paul Corcoran traded points. The trend for the half was set for the half and the dividing margin never went beyond a point.
Aylward threw over Glenmore's second point, and that drew a response from the fine striking James Power after he responded quickest when the ball came back into play off an upright.
The winners made the running until the 19th minute when Callan's Paddy Kennedy stole the ball off a defender trying to break out of defence before shooting a point (0-5 to 0-4). If the 'Lockes thought they had achieved something by winning the lead, they were gravely mistaken.
Twice subsequently the scores were level, and at the end of normal time it looked as if the teams would go to the dressing-rooms that way. Then in the second minute of injury-time James Power posted a top class point from the right wing after receiving the ball from David Lyng.
Half-time: John Lockes 0-8, Glenmore 0-7.
Everything thrown into effort
Before the ball was even thrown-in for the start of the second half the players were driving into each other, and there was a delay for two minutes while one received treatment after receiving a knock.
The exchanges were tough after that with players all around throwing everything, and one means everything, into the effort. Ground was only conceded grudgingly.
The first score of the half didn't arrive until the 39th minute. It was a Glenmore goal from David Beirne, who initially was deprived by a fine save from goalie Paul Morrissey. However, the ball wasn't cleared and the former Dicksboro man plundered the big score at the second attempt (1-7 to 0-8).
A second scuffle followed before Michael Gordon landed a terrific point from a free virtually on the right sideline for the 'Lockes to leave the minimum between the teams (1-7 to 0-9).
However, in the 43rd minute Glenmore goaled again, and for a brief period the initiative was firmly with them. This time a quick move up the right involving Eoin Murphy and Michael Phelan ended with the latter testing goalie Morrissey. The ball spilled and fell near the edge of the square.
Took on challenge
Emmet Vereker was lurking. He prodded the ball into the net. The referee consulted with his umpire, fearing the square had been infringed. The green flag was waved. Glenmore jumped 2-7 to 0-9 in front.
Rather than being shaken, John Lockes took on the challenge, manfully. John O'Neill and John Paul Corcoran raised their game even further and inspired all around them. James Power, Michael Dunne, Adrian O'Sullivan and Robert Jackman all rose with the rising tide of effort. The ageless John Power was already in the fray in a no holds barred effort to survive.
John O'Neill clawed back a point from a free near midfield. A foul on Alan Bergin earned a second one for James Power as the 'Lockes effort was cranked up.
With nine minutes remaining Corcoran drilled over a mighty sideline cut from 30-metres on the left. The ball sailed into the top far corner of the net to slice the difference to the minimum (2-9 to 1-11).
John O'Neill landed a great equaliser from a free from over 80-metres. There were eight minutes left.
Glenmore had a chance to get the lead score, but the now flying Ger Aylward missed the target. Then Mark Phelan dropped an effort short, into the waiting hand of goalie Morrissey.
The tension mounted as the minutes ticked away. Then into the last minute a foul on Mark Phelan offered Paddy Mullally and Glenmore the chance to survive. The former county man took it.
Mullally, thanks to that late, late score was, of course, a star. He was surrounded by heroes, including Ger Aylward, Mark Phelan, in both defence and attack, David Aylward, Richard Mullally, David Beirne, Fergal Freyne and Eoin Murphy.
Scorers
Glenmore – Ger Aylward (0-3); David Beirne, Emmet Vereker (1-0 each); Eoin Murphy (0-2); Paddy Mullally (0-2, frees); David Aylward, Sean Kirwan (0-1 each); Michael Phelan (0-1, free).
John Lockes – John Paul Corcoran (1-1); James Power (0-4, one free); John O'Neill (0-3, two frees, one 65); Paddy Kennedy, Brian Cahill, David Lynch (0-1 each); Michael Gordon (0-1, free).
The teams
Glenmore – P.J. O'Connor, J. Cody, F. Freyne, Mark Phelan, P. Mullally, R. Mullally, J. Murphy, D. Aylward, M. Foran, G. Aylward, D. Beirne, E. Murphy, E. Vereker, Michael Phelan, S. Kirwan. Subs – J. Cody for M. Foran; P. Murphy for E. Vereker.
John Lockes – P. Morrissey, E. Fahey, M. Roche, M. Dunne, A. O'Sullivan, J. O'Neill, R. Jackman, P. Kennedy, J.P. Corcoran, James Power, D. Lynch, B. Cahill, A. Bergin, M. Gordon, N. Hennessy. Subs – John Power for Gordon; N. Donovan for D. Lynch.
Referee – P. Neary (James Stephens). |
