JJ Kavanagh & Sons Under 21 B Hurling Final
Dunnamaggin 1-16; Tullogher Rosbercon 0-17.
Dunnamaggin were victorious in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons U-21B hurling championship with a narrow two-point victory over South Kilkenny neighbours Tullogher Rosbercon in last Sunday afternoon’s exciting final at Thomastown.
In a match of small margins, a first half penalty goal, and a more consistent free taker on the day, made the difference on an excellent December afternoon for hurling, weather wise, at the Grennan venue.
This was a sixth success in the under 21 grade for Dunnamaggin, the previous wins compiled of four in the “A” grade (1995 1996 1998 and 1999), along with their only previous “B” success (1993).
The excellent Ryan Murphy, who finished with eight points from play, gave Tullogher Rosbercon the lead in the opening minute. Two Denis Walsh frees had the Dunnamaggin men in front, before Danny Glennon levelled matters from a sixth minute free.
Ruairidhi Holden put ‘Dunna ahead again, but three points from play by Ryan Murphy left Tullogher 0-5 to 0-3 clear on 13 minutes. A long-range Joe Fitzpatrick free reduced the lead to one point, before Ruairidhi Holden levelled matters on 17 minutes.
In the next two minutes, a Denis Walsh free was answered by a fine individual point by Tullogher Rosbercon’s Marty Murphy.
Between the 22nd and 26th minute, Dunnamaggin recorded an unanswered 1-2, scores that would prove vital. First a ‘Dunna attack, spearheaded by Noah Cahill, was abruptly ended with a foul close to the Tullogher goal, there was no hesitation in referee Eoin Hayes recording a penalty, put away neatly by Denis Walsh. This was followed by a point from the same player from a midfield free, and Ruairidhi Holden added the points.
Two Danny Glennon frees reduced the lead to three points, 0-8 to 1-8.
Dunnamaggin, with points from Ross O’Neill, Denis Walsh (free) and nippy corner forward Noah Cahill, went six points clear as the interval drew near, with a Glennon pointed free closing out the first half scoring.
Halftime – Dunnamaggin 1-11; Tullogher Rosbercon 0-9.
Tullogher Rosbercon again started the new half the better, with three unanswered points from Marty Murphy, Jamie Lyng and captain Mikey Handrick. Joe Fitzpatrick opened ’Dunna’s second half account, but Tullogher Rosbercon were still in the ascendancy, as Ryan Murphy added two further points from play. There was now just a point between them, 0-14 to 1-12, but sadly for the black and amber Tullogher men, Glennon was finding point scoring difficult, particularly from placed balls.
On the other side, Denis Walsh with frees on the 44th and 46th minutes, was almost flawless for the green and white clad Dunnamaggin outfit. Points on 17 and 19 minutes by the brilliant Ryan Murphy again reduced the margin to a point, 0-16 to 1-14.
A 100-yard Denis Walsh free from Dunnamaggin on 25 minutes was replied to by a Tullogher placed ball by Andrew Murphy, 0-17 to 1-15.
The contest was now at fever pitch, with neither side giving an inch, as this game reached its ultimate climax. A Denis Walsh free, closed off the scoring, and Dunnamaggin had held on for a fully deserved two-point victory, 1-16 to 0-17.
The green and white side had a sound goalie in Kieran Tallon, a defensive six with Shaun O’Keeffe, Thomas Deegan and Ciaran Hickey prominent, and further upfield captain Dennis Walsh, Ruaridhi Holden, Joe Fitzpatrick and Noah Cahill starred.
On another afternoon Tullogher Rosbercon could have achieved the spoils of victory. Conor Ryan and Lar Murphy defended well throughout, whilst Marty Murphy and Danny Glennon tried hard to support the trojan efforts of their full forward Ryan Murphy.
Referee Eoin Hayes and his linesmen Jack Miller and John Walsh did a fine job officiating this very competitive meeting of these Southern neighbours before a very decent crowd.
Dunnamaggin:
Killian Tallon, Pearse Costello, Shaun O’Keeffe, Thomas Deegan, Eoin Shiel, Ciaran Hickey, Jamie Tallon, Colin Fitzpatrick, Ross O’Neill (0-1), Joe Fitzpatrick (0-2, 0-1 frees), Denis Walsh (Captain 1-9, 1-0 penalty & 9 frees), Ruairidhi Holden (0-3), Noah Cahill (0-1), Aaron Moore, Jimmy O’Neill
Subs:
Tim Doherty for Aaron Moore (halftime), Sean Rossiter, Sean Lawton, Joe Fitzpatrick, Cathal Walsh, John Hayes, Conor Lawton, Aidan O Neill, Conor Alyward, Cathal Buckley, Gavin McMahon, David Moore, Liam Davis
Management: Pat Hoban, lan Walsh, Eoghan Kearney, Darragh O’Keeffe. Physio: Robbie Lodge.
Tullogher Rosbercon:
Eoin Kennedy, Paidi Dooley, Conor Ryan, Johnny Murphy, Cathal Mooney, Lar Murphy, David Kennedy, Jamie Lyng (0-1), JJ Ryan, Kevin Aylward, Marty Murphy (0-2), Mikey Handrick (Captain, 0-1), Danny Glennon 0-4, frees), Ryan Murphy (0-8), Andrew Murphy (0-1, free).
Subs:
Dean Kinsella, Pat Doyle, Brian O’Shea, James Cummins, Fergal O’Shea, Sean Ryan, Niall Cummins, Evan Fitzgerald, Joe Malone, Sam Ryan, Dan Kennedy (Injured)
Management: Pat Hartley, Moling Cotterell, Brendan Lawlor, John Murphy.
Referee: Eoin Hayes.
Prior to the final Dunnamaggin had to work hard to beat Lisdowney in a competitive semi-final the previous week.
JJ Kavanagh & Sons U-21B Hurling Championship Semi Final
Dunnamaggin 1-15; Lisdowney 1-9.
Dunnamaggin qualified for the 2024 JJ Kavanagh & Sons U-21B Hurling Final with a hard earned six-point victory over Lisdowney at MW Hire Dunmore on Saturday 7/12/2024.
On a weekend when “Storm Darragh” put a stop to sporting contests elsewhere, these two sides provided an extremely competitive encounter, for the few hundred supporters who braved the winter elements.
There was just a point between the sides at the interval, Lisdowney leading 1-4 to 0-6, the wind blowing strongly cross-field, slightly helping the North Kilkenny outfit.
The Lisdowney goal in the 21st minute was the result of an excellent 1-2 move upfield between Richard McEvoy and Eibhan McEvoy, the former finishing it to the Dunnamaggin net.
However, the opening nineteen minutes of the new half saw a Dunnamaggin side, inspired by centre forward Dennis Walsh, to open a six-point lead, 0-13 to 1-7, and on the way to the final.
By the thirtieth minute Lisdowney had pulled the margin back to a single point, 1-9 to 0-13, thanks to five unanswered scores, and their supporters believed they could overtake the South Kilkenny side. But it was not to be, and an injury time 1-2 saw Dunnamaggin through to a final versus Tullogher Rosbercon next weekend.
On a day when goals were huge scores, the Dunnamaggin one came as we entered four added minutes. A long delivery into the square resulted in a Jamie Tallon green flag. This was added to by two fine scores from the Kilkenny City side of the pitch from Dennis Walsh and Sean Lawton.
Dunnamaggin deserved their victory, Sean O’Keeffe and Ciaran Hickey were consistently vital in defence, Colin Fitzpatrick were prominent in midfield, while there was a man of the match display by Dennis Walsh, aided by Ruaidri Holden and the “nippy” Noah Cahill.
For Lisdowney Alan Dunphy, Richard McEvoy, Andrew McEvoy and Brandon Brophy were the prominent performers.
Scorers:
Dunnamaggin
Dennis Walsh (0-6, 4 frees), Ruaidri Holden (0-3), Jamie Tallon (1-0), Jimmy O’Neill (0-2), Tim Doherty (0-2), Noah Cahill (0-1), Sean Lawton (0-1).
Lisdowney
Charlie Brennan (0-4, 2 frees), Richard McEvoy (1-1, 1 free), Brandon Brophy (0-3), Andrew McEvoy (0-1, free).
Lisdowney Squad:
James McEvoy, Michael John Banville, Alan Dunphy, Evan Perry, Jayme Thornton, Richard McEvoy, Conor O’Gorman, Killian Dunne, Brandon Brophy, Charlie Brennan, Andrew McEvoy, Eibhan McEvoy, Seamus Murphy, Tadhg Blanchfield, Matthew Grogan
Selectors – Billy Grogan, David Dowling, Michael Foley, Paul Murphy, Johnny O’Loughlin
Dunnamaggin Squad:
Pierce Costelloe, Sean O’Keeffe, Thomas Deegan, Eoin Shiel, Ciaran Hickey, Jamie Tallon, Colin Fitzpatrick, Tim Doherty, Denis Walsh, Ruaidri Holden, Noah Cahill, Jimmy O’Neill, Aaron Moore, Conor Aylward, Cathal Buckley, John Hayes, Conor Lawton, Sean Lawton David Moore Aidan O’Neill
Referee: Gay Rafter.
