JJ Kavanagh & Sons Junior A Hurling Final
Young Irelands 2-15(21); Dunnamaggin 0-18
Young Irelands (Gowran) took the JJ Kavanagh County Junior A hurling championship for only the second time in their history, with victory over a gallant Dunnamaggin team at UPMC Nowlan Park on Friday evening last.
Their previous win was also against Dunnamaggin, in 1997, nine points between the sides back then, this time just three.
This was a highly competitive contest, on an evening that gave us sunshine, wind, and a shower of almost biblical proportions midway through the second half. The 2024 Irish summer on display in 60 minutes of hurling!
This final was always going down to the wire, level at the interval, still all square after 47 minutes, but down the home straight, Young Irelands outscored Dunnamaggin by five points to two.
Ultimately the two-opening half Gowran goals were the decisive scores.
The first one was on nine minutes by Killian Carey, scored after a fine teamwork passing movement along the new stand side of the ground (1-1 to 0-3).
The second, just six minutes later, again by Carey, after a first goal bound effort was blocked clear by the Dunnamaggin defence (2-3 to 0-5).
Diarmuid Langton followed this with a further point, but in fairness to the Dunnamaggin outfit, they finished the first half the stronger.
Half time – Young Irelands 2-5(11); Dunnamaggin 0-11.
Dunnamaggin introduced Adam Fitzpatrick for the second half, and he rowed in with three points from play, but his side were generally chasing the game in the second period.
The later points in the game, by Killian Carey (2), Jake Byrne, Diarmuid Langton and Jimmy Lennon, were vital scores, that resulted in victory for Gowran. In the same closing dozen minutes, only Adam Fitzpatrick and JJ Dunphy pointed for Dunnamaggin.
In the closing couple of added time minutes, Dunnamaggin sought an equalising goal, but the Young Irelands defence held firm, to earn a place in the junior championship proper in 2025.
Young Irelands had fine performances from the likes of Emmett Byrne, scorer in chief Killian Carey and Diarmuid Langton.
For the losers Aaron Doherty, JJ Dunphy, Anthony Kearney, ex All Ireland Senior winner Seaghan O’Neill and Adam Fitzpatrick gave their all.
Young Irelands team & scores :-
Peter Hutchinson, Charlie Fitzgerald, Emmett Byrne, Sean Middleton (Captain), David Langton, Sean Farrell, Jim Conlon, Killian Carey (2-7, 0-6 frees), Jimmy Lennon (0-1), Paddy Brennan (0-1), Jack Brennan, Gavin Manning, Dylan Carey (0-2), Conor Fitzpatrick, Diarmuid Langton (0-3).
Subs:-
Ben Phelan for Conor Fitzpatrick, Jake Byrne (0-1) for Dylan Carey, Tim Brennan, Cian Phelan, Charlie Brennan, Eoin O’Neill, Luke Phelan, Mikey Keating, David Drennan, Jack Blagriff, Ciaran Kavanagh, David Holland, Kieran Phelan, Michael Lennon.
Dunnamaggin team & scores :-
James Logue, Paddy Delaney, Jack Brett (Captain), Cathal Walsh, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Aaron Doherty, Jimmy O’Neill, Paul Kirwan (0-1), Alex Moore, JJ Dunphy (0-2), Peter Kenneally, Ruaidhri Holden (0-1), Colin Fitzpatrick (0-1), Anthony Kearney (0-3), Seaghan O’Neill (0-7, 0-6 frees).
Subs:-
Adam Fitzpatrick (0-3) for Jack Brett, Ross O’Neill for Seaghan O’Neill, Sean Carroll, Mark Dowling, Colin Herity, Aaron Moore, Sean Lawton, Eoin Sheil, Jason Doherty, Killian Tallon, Cathal Buckley, Michael Costello.
Referee: Gay Rafter (Threecastles)
JJ Kavanagh & Son Junior B Hurling Final
Threecastles 0-16; St. Lachtain’s 0-15
They say of waiting for a bus, “you wait ages for one – and then two come along at the same time.” This was almost the case for Threecastles GAA Club at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday evening last!
History was again made, as Threecastles, a club that waited 83 years for a first adult county title in 2023, followed last year’s Junior C success, with a follow up Junior B victory, in a highly entertaining contest at Kilkenny GAA headquarters.
This one was possibly just as sweet for the club, who make up just one fifth of Freshford parish, as they edged neighbours St Lachtain’s in a thrilling encounter.
This was a quality clash, a local derby clash of the ash between neighbours, played in an excellent spirit throughout, before a crowd of 1,000 or so engrossed spectators.
The lead ebbed and flowed throughout, the result could easily have gone the other way, but Threecastles took the silverware on offer, having shown great resilience throughout.
Threecastles were first off the mark with points from Eamon Hennessy (free) and Jack Cleere after an interception. Cian Dawson opened Freshford’s account after nine minutes.
Midway through the half Threecastles opened a lead of 0-6 to 0-3, but Lachtain’s were now settling, and four unanswered scores by veteran Noel McGree, Alan Rafter, Conor Donnelly from distance, and another Rafter score from a free, had them a point clear, 0-7 to 0-6.
Two points from placed balls by Eamonn Hennessy gave Threecastles back the lead, but an individual score by Donnelly, along with a Rafter free, had St Lachtain’s one clear at the interval.
Half time – St Lachtain’s 0-9; Threecastles 0-8.
Threecastles had the wind for the new half, but it was Cian Dawson, now operating at full-forward, who opened the second half scoring for St Lachtain’s. Eamonn Hennessy replied from play for Threecastles.
Donnelly and a Rafter (free) had Lachtain’s 0-12 to 0-9 clear on 39 minutes. Jack Clarke (T) and Rafter (SL) swapped points, leaving Lachtain’s still three clear.
In the next dozen minutes Threecastles had a sequence of four unanswered points, as both sets of supporters roared on their respective sides. Jack Cleere, Johnny Manogue and two Eamonn Hennessy frees were the scorers (Threecastles 0-14 to 0-13 ahead).
Lachtain’s regained the lead by 57 minutes, with points from Philip Campion and Alan Rafter.
However, two late scores from the excellent Eamonn Hennessy, from a placed ball and a free, saw Threecastles home by a single point, 0-16 to 0-15, after an epic encounter.
Star players like Jack Cleere, Eamonn Hennessy and Cian Franey will now participate in the Junior A grade for 2025.
St. Lachtain’s gave their all, with goalie Robbie Dowling, Conor Donnelly, Noel McGree and Alan Rafter amongst their star players on the afternoon.
Threecastles team & scorers :-
Conrad Cooper, Joe Lacey, Frank Keoghan, David Cleere, Nick O’Shea, Jack Cleere (0-3) John Manogue (0-1), Darragh Walsh (C), Cormac Rafter, Cian Russell Eamonn Hennessy (0-11, 6 frees, 1 “65”, VC) Kyle Maher, Eoin Dalton, Cian Franey (0-1), Mark Cleere.
Subs:-
Tommy Rafter for Cian Russell, Joey Dalton for Nick O’Shea, Darren Mullen for Tommy Rafter, Jack Boland for Kyle Maher, Marcus Trait, Eoin O’Donnell, Vinny O’Donnell, Ciaran Dalton, Eoin Dalton, Frank Campion, Colm O’Grady, Seamus McEvoy, Tomas Cassin, Adam Ryan, Pat Trait, Andy Campion, Bernard Mullen, Canice Pratt, Liam Russell, Liam Walsh, David Butler, Craig Kennington.
St Lachtain’s team & scorers :-
Robbie Dowling, Jack Hickey (C), Lachtain Kennedy, Cian Leahy, John Bowden, Jerry Bergin, Shane Dawson, Conor Donnelly (0-3), Conor Dalton, Cian Dawson (0-2), Noel McGree (0-1),Alan Rafter (0-8, 6 frees), Philip Campion, Jordan Burke (0-1), Matthew Durnan.
Subs:-
John Campion for Johnny Bowden , James O’Connor for Matthews Duncan, Barry Hughes for Noel McGree, Mark Nolan, Darragh Quinn, Jimmy Cantwell, Luke Phelan, Cathal Bowden, Declan Killeen, Caillin McCabe, Shea Burke, Michael Murphy, Colin Mc Gree, Jamie Denieffe, Cathal Power (injured), Harry Burke (injured).
Referee: Julian O’Dwyer (Windgap).
Iverk Produce Junior C Hurling Final
Danesfort 1-22 (25); Lisdowney 2-19 (25) (after extra time, Danesfort won 3-1 on penalties).
Danesfort 3, Lisdowney 1, is the type of scoreline more associated with other codes, but that’s how it finished up at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday evening last, as Danesfort clinched the Junior C county title on penalties.
This was a high-quality hurling contest between two rural parishes, both displaying a never say die attitude, renowned in Kilkenny hurling at all grades.
In his excellent acceptance speech, Danesfort vice captain Stephen Duncan referenced the final penalty outcome being almost a “toss of a coin” method of deciding the Junior C trophies destination.
For a Junior C final this was high quality fare, with all participants giving their all, from throw in time of 5.45pm to almost 8pm, as dusk set in, at the local GAA headquarters.
Lisdowney had the aid of the wind in the opening half and were two points to the good at the interval, 1-6 to 0-7.
The goal was the result of a penalty by Rory Hickey, having been fouled himself close to the Danesfort goalmouth. The excellent Rory contributed 1-3 in the opening half from placed balls. For Lisdowney Matthew Cowley with three points from play and their accurate free taker Stephen McKenna (0-3) were the main contributors to the scoreboard.
Rory Hickey (free) and Darragh Mackey had Lisdowney three points ahead within a few minutes of the restart, but for the next twelve minutes it was all Danesfort scores. Four points from McKenna (a “65”, a free, and two scores from distance) and one by full forward Conor Tallis, in a five-minute spell, leaving them 0-12 to 1-8 ahead.
A feature of the game was long range point attempts from Lisdowney goalie Aaron Fogarty, and he pointed one such effort on 41 minutes to level matters.
A Stephen McKenna free put Danesfort back in front, but then Lisdowney had their best spell of the game. Five unanswered points by Rory Hickey (3 frees), Darragh Mackey and another Aaron Fogarty distance free, left Lisdowney four points clear, 1-14 to 0-13.
Danesfort weren’t finished, and when captain Stephen Duncan was grounded in the square, referee Brian Fox waved for a penalty, put away by James Mullally.
Although Darragh Mackey put Lisdowney two clear, 1-15 to 1-13, in the 57th minute, two further Danesfort points by Dan Dowling and Ciaran Mullin meant we would require extra time
Full time – Danesfort 1-15; Lisdowney 1-15.
Five successive Danesfort points by Stephen McKenna (4 frees) and a great score from the sideline by Matthew Cowley set their side up for victory. Two Rory Hickey frees reduced the lead to three 1-17 to 1-20 at the end of the first extra period.
Players were now “cramping up” on both sides, but “throwing in the towel” was not an option for Lisdowney. Two Rory Hickey frees were replied to by two ‘Fort scores by Stephen McKenna (free) and the excellent Matthew Cowley.
It was still Danesfort 1-22 to 1-19, and we were now in the second added minute of the final extra period. A “hail Mary” free landed in the Danesfort goalmouth, and Lisdowney substitute Tadhg Blanchfield was credited with the goal, that would take us to the dreaded penalties to decide ultimate victors.
Danesfort went first to take a penalty and scored. Lisdowney missed their opening pair, and eventually it was the club on the Waterford road who took the spoils on a 3-1 scoreline.
Matthew Cowley, Dan Dowling, Stephen McKenna, James Cunningham, and Conor Condon were amongst the star performers for the winners.
Rory Hickey, Eoin Delaney, Darragh Mackey and Aaron Fogarty were best performers for an unlucky Lisdowney.
Quite the afternoon at UPMC Nowlan Park!
Danesfort team & scorers:-
Tim Murphy, Padraig Barraghy, Dan Dowling (0-1), Evan Srouji, Darragh Coverdale, James Cunningham (VC), Conor Condon, Sam Hayes, Ciaran Mullin (0-1), Cillian Norton, Stephen McKenna 0-13, 8 frees, 1 “65”), Mathew Cowley (0-5), James Mullally (1-0, penalty), Eoin Brennan (0-2), Stephen Duncan.
Substitutes:-
Eugeen Sinnott for Cillian Norton, Dylan Dunphy, Kevin Ireland, Stephen Duncan (Captain), Bill Smith,, Mark Srouji, John Davis, Louis Jameson, Cathal Norton, Mark Fitzpatrick, Jack Doyle, John Canny, Joe Cowig, Cian O’Reilly, Tom Sheehan, Niall Farrell.
Lisdowney team & scorers:-
Aaron Fogarty (0-3, frees), Jayme Thornton, Ray Fitzpatrick Jack O’Sullivan (C),Brandon Brophy, Peter Bergin, Joe Bergin, Dean Brophy (VC), Niall Mackey, Eoin Delaney (0-1), Niall Kenny, Rory Hickey (1-10, 9 frees, 1 penalty), Darragh Mackey (0-4), Mark Srouji, Paddy Bowden (0-1)
Substitutes:-
Conor Tallis for Niall Mackey, Brian Campion for Eoin Delaney, Tadhg Blanchfield (1-0), Niall Grogan Jimmy Delaney, Eoin Delahunty, Dean McCann, Conor O’Gorman, Billy Grogan, Matthew Banville, Patrick Kennedy, Seamus Murphy, Jack McGree, Peter O’Sullivan, Ruadhan Downey, Lee McCann, Eddie Hickey (injured), Luke Moore (injured).
Referee: Brian Fox (O’Loughlin Gaels)
By John Power Thu 29th Aug
