Minor Round-up

Minor A 

Young Irelands Gowran 6-14         Galmoy/Windgap  4-11

Ten goals in a cracking Roinn A Minor hurling semi final. What entertainment! John Locke Park Callan was no place for the faint hearted on Monday evening when these two sides left no stone unturned in a bid to face Dicksboro in the County Final. In the end , it was the Gowran lads who finished strongly to eventually break the back in the Galmoy/Windgap challenge after a thrilling encounter.

Within 30 seconds of the start ,Daniel Manning had hit the net for Young Irelands to provide a real tonic start, after a low ball delivered in by Jimmy Lennon. Blade O Gorman won a free at the other end which Billy Drennan pointed before Killian Carey struck for another Gowran goal. From the puckout, David Sherman sent a long delivery goalwards, Billy Drennan flicked the sliotar over a defender before doubling on it, handball style, to leave it 2-0 to 1-1 after just three minutes of play. Drennanadded a long distance point before Young Irelands struck again. This time, it was Ben Phelan who turned provider after a good solo, when he set up Daniel Manning for his second goal of the evening. The Galmoy/Windgap defence were unhinged at this stage after a nervy start but a few shrewd switches by their mentors served to settle them a little. One such switch lead to full back, Callum Lonergan, ending a good move with a nice point from 30 metres. In the seventh minute, Sean Barron provided an intelligent delivery which was gathered by Blade O Gorman, who rounded his man and hit goal number five of the evening to leave it all square 2-3 to 3-0 after only seven minutes of action.

Killian Carey and Billy Drennan exchanged points in advance of another big score for the candy stripes. After a very clever flick along the ground by Conor Fitzpatrick, Ben Phelan picked the sliotar on the run and gave James Purcell no chance in the Galmoy/Windgap goal. In the 14th minute Karl McCoy got on the end of a long Drennan delivery to level the game at the first waterbreak, 3-4 to 4-1, as we had a chance to draw our breaths after a whirlwind opening quarter.

Conor Fitzpatrick struck twice within a minute, his touch was excellent, to send Young Irelands ahead. Billy Drennan levelled affairs with two neat frees before he put his side ahead with an over the shoulder point. Blade O Gorman and Ben Phelan then exchanged minors before another Drennan free left two in it. Padraig Naddy had a very impressive game all through at midfield and his 31st minute point left Galmoy/Windgap leading at half time by the minimum, 3-9 to 4-5. Adam O Shea and Sean Barron had worked well for the combined outfit while Killian Enright had been employed in a deeper role for the second quarter. As a result of this move, Jamie Middleton had effected a number of good clearances for Young Irelands.

A point immediately on the restart from Billy Drennan extended the lead but not for long. Two quick fouls by a Galmoydefender, saw Conor Fitzpatrick level the game once more from placed balls. For the next 20 minutes Young Irelands went on to hit 1-6 without reply and this was the stage of the game where they laid down their marker . They are a very balanced team with good hurlers on every line and on this occasion, those self same hurlers, left their impression all over this victory courtesy of their second half showing. Their fifth goal was finished by Killian Carey in the 50th minute after a powerful solo right up the middle by Padraig Naddy. They also had points from four different players before that goal which left the score 5-11 to 3-10 with ten minutes remaining. Galmoy/Windgap moved Billy Drennan to full forward in a bid to conjure up another big score and he duly obliged when, after winning the ball well on the end line, he let fly a stinging right handed shot which nestled in the far corner of the net to give his side a glimmer of hope with just two scores now dividing the teams. Sean Purcell put in a storming final quarter in a bid to save his side but one more goal from Killian Carey after a good solo and pass by Tommy Phelan, sealed the deal for Young Irelands. Patrick Langton was solid in defence while Padraig Naddy, Conor Fitzpatrick and Killian Carey took the eye up front. For Galmoy/Windgap, Billy Drennan could do no  more while Sean Purcell, GearóidPhelan,Adam O Shea and David Sherman tried their best all through. All in all, this was a thoroughly entertaining display from both sides . Underage hurling in Kilkenny is in  a good place.

Young Irelands Gowran: Barry Dunne, David Drennan,CathalDarcy, Sean Fitzpatrick, Bobby Brennan Paddy Langton, Jamie Middleton, Jimmy Lennon(0-1), Padraig Naddy(0-2), Killian Carey(3-4,0-2 frees), Tommy Phelan, Ben Phelan (1-1), MikieKnox, Daniel Manning(2-1), Conor Fitzpatrick(0-5,0-2frees).

Subs: Luke Doyle for Mikie Knox 53 mins and Rory Farrell  forSean Fitzpatrick 55 mins. 

Galmoy/Windgap:James Purcell, James Darcy, CalumLonergan(0-1), Jamie Joy , Gearóid Phelan,David Sherman ,Sean Purcell(0-1free) , Adam O Shea ,Matt Delaney, Zak Kennedy, Billy Drennan(2-8,0-4 frees), Sean Barron, Killian Enright, Karl McCoy(1-0), Blade O Gorman(1-1).

Subs used: Conor Doyle for Karl McCoy 50 mins, Daniel Hanrahan for Killian Enright  55 mins

Referee: John Walsh (Rower Inistioge)

Meanwhile Dicksboro and Thomastown met in Kilkenny Honda Centre A 1/2 Final on Monday Night in Danesfort.

The city side started well and put it to the Thomastown me in the first 15 minutes. This had a real championship feel to it with no inch sparred.Goals from Rory O Connor and Mikey Raggett gave the boro men a good lead playing with a strong wind. Half time dicksboro 2-09 Thomastown 0-04.

In the second half,a well taken goal from Harry Shine gave the cityside a convincing 3-17 to 0-07.This was a good challenge for the Boro lads as Thomastown had a real physical edge to their play. Impressive for the boro were Timmy Clifford, Niall Rowe, Charlie Nolan and James carroll worked hard throughout the game also. Thomastowns Naoise Dempsey and Zach Bay Hammond worked hard throughout the 60 minutes. Dicksboro will now play Young Irelands next weekend in the final.

Minor B 

St. Martin’s 2.12 

Kilmacow 3.11

St. Martin’s hosted Kilmacow in Coon on Saturday evening in the quarter final of the minor B Hurling Championship.  The first score of the game went to Kilmacow when David Williams slotted a point over the bar from play.  St. Martin’s first score soon followed when Cillian Murphy, playing at full forward got a point from play.  The next two points were again in favour of St. Martins when Oisín Kelly scored from a free and Russel Kealy scored from play. The first goal of the game came in the 7th minute for Kilmacow when Jack O’Neill found the back of the St. Martin’s net with a well struck shot, after a long range free was caught by Tom Reddy who found the goalscorer with an accurate handpass.  Jack O’Neill followed up his goal with a point from play after a low ball was played in from midfield, by the hard working Tadhy Connmolly.  Both sides exchanged points, with Oisín Kelly scoring two from frees for St. Martin’s and James Walsh and Harry Twomey both scoring from play for Kilmacow.  The first half really came to life when the hard working Cillian Dowling scored two goals in quick succession for St. Martin’s.  The first goal came about from a decisive run from Dowling cutting  through the Kilmacow defence before batting the sliothar to the net.  There was nothing that Seán Dowling, the Kilmacow goalkeeper could have done to stop either goal.  Another point from a free for Oisín Kelly, concluded the scoring in the first half, with St. Martin’s leading on a scoreline of 2.06 to 1.05.

The second half opened with a free from James Walsh for Kilmacow and a point from Ross Dowling for St. Martin’s.  Kilmacow secured their second goal of the game when Ted Doyle found the St. Martin’s net after an initial good save from Niall Shore.  Ted Doyle added to his goal with a point from play to level the match.  This was followed by a well worked individual point from Jack O’Neill who cut inside the St. Martin’s defence to slot a point over from his left hand side.  Further points from David Williams and two from James Walsh for Kilmacow and scores from Oisín Kelly and Seán Hunt for St. Martin’s gave Kilmacow the slightest of margins leading by 2.10 to 2.09 at the final water break.  Play resumed with a point from James Walsh from a free.  Kilmacow secured their third goal on the 20th minute, when Harry Twomey found the St. Martin’s net after good play from Donnacdha Williams, Jack O’Neill and Ted Doyle.  That was to be Kilmacow’s final score of the game.  St. Martin’s really applying the pressure in the final minutes of the game with Oisín Kelly adding a further three points for St. Martin’s, to narrow the gap to two points.  St. Martin’s kept battling to the end to try and secure the winning score with a low shot from Oisín Kelly saved by Seán Dowling, which was the final act of the game as referee Colm Tobin sounded the whistle.  Kilmacow securing victory with a two point margin and a scoreline of 3.11 to 2.12.  Both teams battled manfully in a very enjoyable and hard fought game, with very little between both teams throughout the sixty minutes.  Both half back lines were dominant throughout the game, with Tadhg Gill, Patrick Brennan, Cathal Keegan and Conor Dooley for St. Martin’s and Liam Lacey,  Dev Lowe, Paddy Regan and Fionn Walsh for Kilmacow all defending well and working hard throughout. 

Graigue Ballycallan 0-8 v  0-17 Dunamaggin

Dunnamaggin proved to be too strong for the home side in tonight’s game when the winners led from start to finish.  

Dunnamaggin were ahead by 3 points at the 1st water break & lead 13 points to 5 points at half time.  Tom Buckley in goal & Sean O’ Keeffe at center back were impressive for Dunamaggin as were Craig Drennan & Joe Fitzpatrick in attack.  

Jack Butler for GBC came out on top against his opponent & there were good performances from Billy O’Neill, Jeff Neary, Billy Dowling, Conor Walton & Sean Roberts before the later retired early through injury.

Glenmore 3-21 1-10 Fenians

Glenmore & fenians minors served up an entertaining game Early saves from both goalies within minutes of the start of this game set the tone .Glenmore raced into a 8 points to 3 with some missed chances that could have cost them should the fenians have punching impact at the other end.Billy Reid played a huge part in the Glen’s success and was setting up a lot of what was good about this victory. Half time after playing with the breeze Glenmore led 11 points to 5 . Shortly after the break fenians got a life line a quick free found it’s way to the net. Game on unfortunately for the fenians the glen responded quickly with a point.Glenmore went on to score 3 top class goals and this as a contest was truly over. In fairness to the fenians they fought to the end. Glenmore can now look forward to a mouth watering semi final with Dunnamaggin and this will set them up nicely knowing they must improve to advance to that elusive final.

U-15 A 

Graigue Ballycallan  v  Dicksboro

Final score  5.14  to  0.14

The boys in blue from Graigue Ballycallan ran out convincing winners in this tie against their city rivals Dicksboro.  

The final score of 5.14 to 0.14  did little justice to the much closer encounter on the field of play but goals win matches and GBC were lucky enough to put 5 past the unfortunate Boro keeper and this was ultimately to be the deciding factor in this game.

Aaron McEvoy, in form at the moment, got GBC off the mark with a point from play after 3 mins and GBC were leading the Boro 1.5 to 0.3 at the first water break.

Graigue Ballycallan keeper Sean McGrath kept a clean sheet on the night despite his full back Sean Roberts conceding a penalty when he took down his opposite number in the square late in the first half.  McGrath deflected a fine penalty effort over the bar for a lessor score for Dicksboro.  Apart from that transgression, Sean Roberts was outstanding in defence ably assisted by Aidan Comerford and Billy O’ Neill.  The later was faultless in his long range free taking and O’Neill converted all three of his 65’s.

For the losers, Max Doyle, Mickey Stynes, Nathan Pollard and Bill O’Shea faired best while Billy Fitz tried hard throughout.

GBC mentors will be happy with that performance going into the county final against a very strong James Stephens side, given that all their forwards and mid-fielders scored from play. 

In the other Semi Final James Stephens had four points to spare over near neighbours O’Loughlin Gaels. 

U-13 A 

Young Irelands 1-13

Dunnamaggin 0-9

This was the final round of this U13 A1 Hurling Group B hurling league. Young Irelands had home advantage against the yellow and green boys of Dunnamaggin. Thomas Langton opened the scoring for Gowran with a point, followed shortly by a goal from team-mate Billy O’Keeffe. Ciarán Hickey retaliated with a point for Dunnamaggin. At the first water-break only a goal separated the sides. Dunnamaggin, rejuvenated after the break, put fierce pressure on the home team in the second quarter, with points from Jamie Tallon, Tim Doherty, Brían Hickey and Noah Cahill. The Gowran boys found it hard to get the ball on target, Thomas Langton managed to score two points giving a half time score of Young Irelands 1-4, Dunnamaggin 0-5. 

The second half was as epic a battle as the first, with some tremendous tussles, tough tackling and superb defending. Charley Phelan, in the Young Irelands goal was unbreachable, he pulled off save after save, protecting his net with gusto! Tim Doherty pointed three further points for Dunnamaggin and Conor Lawton added one but little by little, Young Irelands widened the gap between the two teams. Thomas Langton added a further six points to his tally, with Ben Drennan, Kieran Timmins and Billy O’Keeffe adding a point each to give Gowran a seven point advantage at full time. Matthew Murray and Connor Lynch were tenacious in the Gowran defence while Pierce Costelloe and Noah Cahill worked tirelessly for the Dunnamaggin side.  Despite the final score, this was a tight, tough, terrific game, with very little on the field between the two teams! Maith sibh buachaillí.

Roinn C

There was great excitement in Muckalee on Sunday morning when two young sides gave it their all but St Martins just about got the better of Piltown to land their first ever win at the grade. 

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