JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Junior Hurling A League Final 2024
O’Loughlin Gaels 1-19(22) Dunnamaggin 2-13(19)
O’Loughlins Gaels recorded a deserved victory over Dunnamaggin in Tuesday nights Junior A Hurling league final at the Kells Road.
A consecutive run of eight unanswered points between the 18th and 28th minute of the opening half, aided by the breeze, saw the city side move seven points clear, 0-12 to 0-5, a lead they never relinquished.
Two late points by former Kilkenny Senior player Seaghan O’Neill left five points between the sides at the break, 0-12 to 0-7.
By midway through the new half, the sides had exchanged four points each, 0-16 to 0-11, but another 1-2 scoring spell, left O’Loughlins, 1-18 to 0-11, ten points clear, and the finish line beckoning.
The O’Loughlins goal was finished by Ruarc Sweeney, following a long delivery into the Dunnamaggin goalmouth. Greg Kelly and Jack Sheridan followed up with two points from play, 1-18 to 0-11.
To their credit Dunnamaggin never gave up, outscored O’Loughlins 2-2 to 0-1 in the closing ten minutes, plus the five minutes added time.
They actually had half chances to take the game into extra time.
Ross O’Neill and Adam Fitzpatrick pointed and when Seagram O’Neill scored a follow up goal, after the O’Loughlins keeper made a fine save, it was 1-13 to 1-18. Ben Maher extended the ‘Dunna lead to six points, but Ross O’Neill got another Dunnamaggin goal to leave just three points in it.
O’Loughlins held out, just about!
O’Loughlins looked the better team most of the evening with John McNamara, Ben Kinsella, Ben Maher and Greg Kelly amongst those to star.
For Dunnamaggin Peter Kenneally, and Ross O’Neill stood out, along with Seagram O’Neill.
Gay Rafter did a good job with the whistle in a fine sporting contest.
O’Loughlin Gaels team & scorers: Michael Lambert, Kevin O’Brien, Gary Bryan, Alex Molloy, Padraig Meaney (captain), Jay Leahy, Ben Tyrell, John McNamara (0-4), Ben Kinsella, Mark Holohan, Tervine Wallace (0-2), Ruarc Sweeney (1-3, 0-3 frees), Ben Maher (0-4), Greg Kelly (0-3), Jack Sheridan (0-3).
Substitutes:
Luke Quiqley, Cathal O’Leary, Jack Kearns, Harry O’Grady, Tadhg O’Meara, Cathal O’Leary, Peter McNamara, Mark Croghan, Michael Butler, CJ McChamcheu, Sean Cahalane, Kevin Rowe, Shane Maher, Gavin Mahony, Joe Bolger, Billy Leydon, Frank Joel, Nic Redmond, Killian Byrnes, Josh Hynes.
Dunnamaggin team & scorers: James Logue, Mark Dowling, Jack Brett (captain), Paddy Delaney, Paul Kirwan, Aaron Doherty, Jimmy O’Neill, Cathal Walsh, Colin Fitzpatrick, JJ Dunphy (0-1), Peter Kenneally, Ruaidhri Holden, Adam Fitzpatrick, Anthony Kearney, Seagram O’Neill (1-5, 0-4 frees).
Substitutes:
Ross O’Neill (1-4), Sean Carroll, Jason Doherty, Colin Herity, Kieran Buckley, Michael Costelloe, Alex Moore, Sean Lawton, Cathal Buckley, Killian Tallon, Andrew Fitzpatrick (0-3), Eóin Shiel, Aaron Moore.
Referee: Gay Rafter.
Photos:
O’Loughlin Gaels JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling A League County Finalists 2024
Dunnamaggin JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling A League County Finalists 2024
Junior Board treasurer John Lacey presenting the JJ Kavanagh Junior C Hurling League Cup to O’Loughlin Gaels captain Padraig Meaney.
Referee Gay Rafter with captains Padraig Meaney (OL) and Jack Brett (D).
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Iverk Produce Junior C Hurling League County Final
Windgap 3-23 Lisdowney 1-13.
(Report Credit – Jimmy Walsh)
The Iverk Produce Junior C Hurling League County Final saw Lisdowney make the long journey to well appointed Windgap on Tuesday evening, following a toss for venue owing to a scarcity of pitches. The game saw both sides with injuries and Leaving Cert exam tied players, some of whom took a break to play and make a difference. After Windgap opened with a strong breeze into the school goal, Zak Kennedy put them ahead with a fine point, before Rory Hickey equalized in the second minute. By the end of the first quarter the home side was 0-7 to 0-1 ahead with points by Conor Doyle (four, two frees), Cillian Enright and Zak Kennedy. The scoring flow was quickly neutralized after eighteen minutes when a sweeping Lisdowney move saw Dean Brophy set up Jimmy Delaney to goal and leave a single score in it 0-7 to 1-1.
Three points in response by Conor Doyle from a free, Darragh Doyle the first of his three fine scores and Killian Enright restored the difference before the games turning point arrived when Billy Power was fouled for a penalty. Converted by Conor Doyle into the bottom corner it saw Bearna na Gaoithe go 1-10 to 1-1 ahead after twenty four minutes. After the teams exchanged points through a Rory Hickey and Darragh Doyle points, Adam O’Shea’s long delivery saw Darragh Doyle finish to the net from the twenty metre line to bring his sides total to 2-11. With a never say die attitude Lios Duinfhiaich battling against the tide and the wind added two points through Rory Hickey as they went on to share eight points before the break. The scores saw Eoin O’Shea, Billy and Jim Power joining the Windgap scorers list and Darragh Mackey joining the visitors one to leave the scores at 2-15 to 1-6 at the break.
The resumption with the strong breeze favouring the blue and white hooped team saw Conor Doyle point a Windgap free before the visitors best spell yielded three unanswered points with as many wides as Jim Power, James Mackey, Peter Landy and Shane Walsh in goal held firm. The flow was interrupted by a Zak Kenny point before similar scores by Eoin Delaney and Brendan Brophy had the score at 2-17 to 1-11 after forty two minutes. With the visitors reduced to fourteen men after two yellow cards, it was to be the closest the sides came, as the home side tacked on three points to a single reply by centre back Peter Bergin after a great run. Windgap’s third goal by Billy Power was followed by an exchange of points with substitute Ben Campion wrapping up the scoring as Windgap secured the league title by 3-23 to 1-13 when the match referee Brandon Power and his match officials Jack Millar and Shawn Sutton called time. In the game Lisdowney were well served outside the aforementioned by Ray Fitzpatrick at fullback and Niall Grogan in goal whilst Cian O’Rourke and Luke Ward were industrious for the home side.
Afterwards Junior Board secretary Pat Dunphy accompanied by Cisteoir Rory Williams presented the Iverk Produce Junior C Hurling League Cup to Bearna na Gaoithe captain Zak Kennedy.
Windgap team & scorers: Shane Walsh, Jim Power Jnr. James Mackey, Luke Ward, Zak Kennedy (0-3), Adam O’Shea, Peter Landy, Cillian Enright (0-2), Cian O’Rourke, Darragh Doyle (1-2), Billy Power (1-3), Eoin O’Shea (0-2), Conor Doyle (1-8, 1-0 penalty, 0-4 frees), Jim Power Snr. (0-1), Ronan O’Brien (0-2)
Subs used James Purcell, Josh Price, Blade O’Gorman, Paudie Bacon, Killian Doyle
Panelists: Walter Landy, Tommy Lonergan, Eoin Freaney, Niall O’Brien, Eddie Cunningham, Noah O’Shea, Shane Lomax, Jack O’Shea, Michael Power, Mark McCoy, Tommy Fleming.
Lisdowney team & scorers: Niall Grogan, Jayme Thornton, Ray Fitzpatrick, Jack O’Sullivan, Joe Bergin, Peter Bergin (0-1), Dean Brophy, Matthew Banville, Brandon Brophy (0-1), Rory Hickey (0-6, 0-5 frees), Eoin Delaney, Tadhg Blanchfield, Darragh Mackey (0-2), Niall Kenny, Jimmy Delaney (1-0)
Subs used Brian Campion (0-1), Niall Mackey, Patrick Kennedy.
Panelists: Ruadhan Downey, Peter O’Sullivan, Conor Tallis, Conor O’Gorman, Billy Grogan, Eddie Hickey.
Referee: Brandon Power.
Photos:
Windgap Iverk Produce Junior Hurling C League County Champions 2024
Lisdowney Iverk Produce Junior Hurling C League County Finalists 2024
Junior Board secretary Pat Dunphy presenting the Iverk Produce Junior C Hurling League Cup to Bearna na Gaoithe captain Zak Kennedy.
Junior C League Final Match Officials – referee Brandon Power, Jack Millar and Shawn Sinnot.
By John Power Fri 21st Jun
