Bord na nÓg Update – Week 25

There was a glut of games in the Kilkenny Honda Centre Minor Hurling leagues as the club action was back after the enforced inter county action.  In Roinn A Jack Doyle was the key man as Galmoy Windgap got the better of Rower Inistioge 2-12 to 1-14 in a game that could have swung either way. Dicksboro has a goal rush feeling against Thomastown who might feel a tad unlucky not to be closer as they spurned a few chances if their own despite the good work of Luke McNena & Naoise Dempsey in particular. O’Loughlin Gaels & Dunnamaggin clashed in Dunnamaggin in a fierce encounter. Denis Walsh largely kept the home side in it with some fine free taking whilst Andy Hickey was equally influential but Alex Sheridan was the decisive factor in proceedings landing himself a merry haul of 1-3 to help the Gaels to a 2-10 to 0-8 win. As ever Roinn B is proving to be very close as testified in the game between Graignamanagh & Bennetsbridge which ended in a draw 4-9 to 3-12. Young Irelands had only two points to spare over an impressive Carrickshock side where Tommy Phelan & Conor Fitzpatrick helped the home side gain a 1-20 to 4-9 victory. St Martins secured a top two finish in the other group with a fine win over Durrow Harps where Tommy Lawlor & Joseph Reid helped themselves to a hatful of goals. There was also victories for St Lachtains & Graigue Ballycallan whilst in Roinn C Fenians had too much fire power for Clara. In the Duggan Steel U-13 Roinn C league play off game Conahy Shamrocks got the better of Bagenalstown Gaels 3-12 to 2-7. There was a number of games played in the Duggan Steel U-13 Roinn C Championship where John Locke’s B defeated Piltown B 1-7 to 1-4. Lisdowney had too much for Slieverue whilst Fenians also gained victory in their first round game.  National Hurling Day First into action were the U-14 Amber squad who were in action in the Tony Forristal tournament. Luck deserted them in both games as they lost out against Tipperary & Wexford that on another day could so easily have swung their way. The U-14 black squad played Tipp in game one at 10am. They had a very strong team. They have been together since November. Lost by 8 points but had goal chances and came up against a very good goalie. After a slow first half players settled much better in second half& lost by 1-17 to 1-9. Up next was Wexford at 1pm and played very well winning by 4-8 to 0-9. Kilkenny played Kerry and won by 2-16 to 2-3. It was a good introduction to inter county hurling for the boys. They enjoyed the games and were happy with their two wins. Up next were the U-15 Amber squad who took on Galway in the Arraghbawn semi final. In what was a truly epic encounter Galways greater conversion rate proved to be vital as they raced into an early lead which they held till the 55th minute. At one stage Kilkenny were four points down where the introduction of Ben Witty swung the momentum back in Kilkenny’s favour where they held a one point lead in injury time but the Tribesmen rallied to win by two. In Templetouhy the U-15 blacks were up against Dublin and were eight points down heading to half time but a Thomas Sharkey goal was vital and a astute save from Billy Garrett got Kilkenny over the line 2-13 to 1-11 where late points from James Walsh, Jamie Morrissey, Kasper Woloczko & Callum Longeran proved vital. Galway awaited in the final and despite the handsome win Kilkenny has to work very hard and only pulled away in the last fifteen minutes and a penalty save by Garrett proved to be a real turning point whilst Gavin Flynn coolly slotted his opportunity whilst Declan Farrell got thorough an awful amount of work at wing forward. A true team performance that saw them lift the John Doyle trophy for the first time.  The U-16 Amber were successful in the Michael Foley competition. Tough opener against dubs, some missed chances kept dublin in the game but Kilkenny hurled well to deserve the win overall whilst there was a strong win over Waterford. Galway in final who had a good sprinkling of their minor team. Two goals by Zak Bay Hammond and a penalty by Billy Drennan helped to push them to an excellent win not to be outdone the U-16 Black squad lifted the Michael Foley shield competition. A weekend that saw over 150 players leave Kilkenny early Saturday morning ended with a lifetime of memories and enjoyment. A big thank to all the support staff, the clubs for their facilities and support, the 30 coaches, the parents who travel all over the county for training and most importantly to the players who strive to emulate their heroes, improve and develop every time they pull on the black and amber.